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2003 CCS Legislative Agenda |
CCS Legislative Agenda 2003
Legislative Start date January 8 - End June 4
At an activist meeting held at Wallingford Rod & Gun Club in December 2002, issue priorities were established in all sportsmen areas of interest. Ideas came from all sectors of the Sportsmen’s community and we have listed all discussed. Several have been submitted before, generally failing because priorities shifted to defeating anti-sportsmen legislation. Items marked XX will be submitted to Legislators for sponsorship; those not so marked may not be submitted, but may surface as amendments. Click the Title of the bill after the number for the language we have submitted.
Reading statutory language format: Language bracketed means REMOVE: Language Underlined/Capitalized is NEW.
JF means Joint Favorable (Report) - which means acceptance of the bill as written. Our CT committees, unlike Congress, are Joint Committees - including both Senators and Representatives. JFS is Substitute language which could include complete elimination of the original bill substituted with something else, addition or deletion of sections, or major/minor language changes.
We urge you to contact YOUR state legislators. Send us your comments and those from Legislators you contact. We need to know your concerns and ideas.
Remember, Nothing is ever Dead until the end of the session.
XX 2. Establish a 5 year retroactive period relative to listed misdemeanor convictions as criteria for the issue/revocation of Pistol Permits. Currently an indefinite term is used, resulting in documented permit denials/revocations dating back 20+ years for minor incidents, many of which have been previously determined by issuing authorities as irrelevant. If one believes in "payment of debt to society" and rehabilitation, the law must change. 2002 CCS Testimony. Proposed H.B. No. 5966 REP. COLLINS, 117th DIST. Proposed H.B. No. 6196 REP. LABRIOLA, 131st DIST. H.B. No. 6578 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY. 'AN ACT MODIFYING THE GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL TO ISSUE PERMITS TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER'. Public Hearing 3/11. CCS Testimony 03. Joint favorable Report to the Floor. Vote was "Consent" - No Debate. File Number 141. Referred by House to Committee on Judiciary 4/22. Not addressed. DEAD
3. Repeal the long gun 14 day waiting period. With Instant Check fully implemented, there is no logical reason for any waiting period - firearms purchasers are either legal or illegal. Additionally, only a small segment of purchasers (those who are not police, members of the armed forces, Pistol Permit holders, and Hunting License holders) are subject to the waiting period. To eliminate the two-week waiting period for the sale or delivery of rifles and shotguns, to eliminate the requirement that the paper or wrapping of the package containing the firearm be securely fastened and to eliminate several exemptions from the provisions of section 29-37a of the general statutes. 2002 CCS Testimony.
4. Change the Permit to sell Pistols & Revolvers from a town to a state permit. This proposal has been addressed previously, to change CT law to correspond with federal law allowing sales at other limited locations, with no success. Certain Chiefs of Police see current law as a money-making proposition forcing legitimate/checked-out permit holders to purchase another permit (@$100) to sell in their town for gun shows/events.
XX 5. Establish
specific application requirements for a Temporary State Permit (Sec 29-28a).
To insure state-wide uniformity of criteria and standards.
XX 6. Separate
the CT permit process from FBI operations. To provide continued CT permit operations should the FBI be unable
to perform the national criminal history check.
7. Preemption: Establish the authority of the Legislature by statute to inform/preclude municipalities from writing local firearms ordinances inconsistent with state law.
8. Eliminate the CT Bound Book Requirement. This item has always been a redundant dealer exercise. Changes made in ‘99 requiring an SP-67 be retained in the dealer’s file on firearms sold, makes it even more unnecessary. Previously submitted by CT State Police (2001) but inadvertently left out of the compromise bill. 2002 CCS Testimony.
9. Eliminate the Certificate of Eligibility. Failed system – less than 20 issued over an 8 year period. Criteria for issue are the same as a Permit to Carry without the ability to do so. Contrary to anti-gun intent – “to take guns off the streets” – the provision has increased the number of Permits to Carry. Revert to the previous system of purchase with no permit required allowing legal possession only in the home/place of business. Instant Check has replaced the previous 2-week waiting period.
10. Eliminate the ’93 Assault Weapons ban as unnecessary after passage of the 2001 bill (Federal criteria).
11. Change Firearms Auction law – new prioritization.
12. Preempt municipalities from initiating gun company lawsuits.
CT
State Police Proposals: None known.
XX
1. Sunday Hunting. With the constantly increasing deer herd and deer/vehicle collisions, this issue is a serious wildlife management and public safety issue. CT is one of the few states still operating under this "blue law" provision (40+ States Allow); it is discriminatory to certain religious denominations; and the average "working person" gun hunter could hunt only 1 or 2 days (Saturday) during the State land "A" & "B" , Private Land, and Muzzleloader seasons. DEP has increased its estimate (conservative) of the deer herd from 53,955 (1996) to 76,344 (1999). Will not pass unless Sportsmen provide supportive input (letters/phone/e-mail) demonstrating they want change! CCS will propose Sunday Hunting 1) Bowhunting, Private Land, Written Permission, Deer Only; 2) All Implements, Private land, Written Permission, Deer only, Zones only; 3) All Implements, Private land, Written Permission, All Species, $10 Special Tag (estimated to generate $1 million to the Conservation Fund). Proposed H.B. No. 5150 REP. MAZUREK, 80th Dist.; REP. ZALASKI, 81st Dist.; Proposed H.B. No. 5206 REP. COLLINS, 117th DIST.; Proposed S.B. No. 180 SEN. GUGLIELMO, 35th DIST.; Proposed H.B. No. 5396 REP. PISCOPO, 76th DIST. Not addressed. DEADXX
2. Armed Forces Hunting Permits: Charge non-resident active full-time members of the armed forces the same firearm and bowhunting permit fees as charged a resident of the state. Mirrors that for Licenses. Proposed H.B. No. 6078 REP. COLLINS, 117th DIST.; REP. ADINOLFI, 103rd DIST. Included in S.B. No. 1157 'AN ACT CONCERNING MINOR REVISIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROVISIONS' Joint Favorable Substitute 4/4. SUPPORT. Included in SB 1157. Joint Favorable Substitute 4/4. File 744. Senate Passed w/Senate Amendment Schedule A 5/29. PASSED.3. Preemption: Establish the authority of the Legislature by statute to inform/preclude municipalities from writing local wildlife ordinances inconsistent with state law.
4. Correct alleged conflicting statute, which has delayed for three years the implementation of Falconry.
5. Address DEP General Funding. Repeal $5 Million/year DEP License fees paid to General Fund by DEP.
6. Handgun Deer hunting.
XX
1. Repeal provision-precluding maintenance/repairs to Lattins Cove boat launch ramp on Candlewood Lake. Proposed H.B. No. 6072 REP. LABRIOLA, 131st DIST. Not addressed. DEAD2. Make Striped Bass the “State Fish” and concurrently provide it sport fish designation.
XX 3. Redefine the authority of municipalities concerning public access lake/pond regulations, requiring public hearings to be held by the DEP in Hartford. To insure statewide rather than just local input and serve to standardize speed, motor horsepower and other restrictions. Proposed H.B. No. 5207 REP. COLLINS, 117th DIST. Not addressed. DEAD
DEP Proposals
- See "Other Bills" |
Miscellaneous |
1. Change the Cabaret Tax by raising the tax exemption on dues and initiation fees ($100 to $200).
2. Recapture additional motorboat fuel taxes from the Transportation Fund and change the application back to dedicated funds for Fishing and Boating ONLY. H.B. No. 6068 REP. COLLINS, 117th DIST.
Legislative Toll Free Numbers.
1-800-842-8267 House Democrats
1-800-842-1423 House Republicans
1-800-842-1420 Democratic State Senators
1-800-842-1421 Republican State Senators
