CCS Legislative Agenda 2002

Legislative Start date February 6 - End May 8  

At an activist meeting held at Blue Trail Range on January 14, 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 require more research and may not be submitted, but may surface as amendments. 

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.

Firearms

XX 1. Pistol Permit Reciprocity: Provide nonresidents the ability to carry a concealed firearm in this state if the nonresident holds a valid permit or license to carry a firearm issued in another state which meets the CT standards of age, investigation, and training. Other states are currently recognizing and honoring concealed firearm licenses issued by the State of Connecticut and they should enjoy the same rights and benefits when they travel to Connecticut if they meet our criteria.

Raised  S.B. No. 366 Raised Bill [pdf] AN ACT CONCERNING RECIPROCITY WITH OTHER STATES CONCERNING PERMITS TO CARRY PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. To honor permits to carry pistols or revolvers issued by other states if their standards are as stringent as those of Connecticut. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY. SUPPORT. Public Hearing 2/28. Died in Committee 3/7. CCS Testimony. Public Hearing 2/28.  Public Hearing 2/28. Died in Committee 3/7. 

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. 2/7 Raised. H.B. No. 5298 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY. 'AN ACT MODIFYING THE GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL TO ISSUE PERMITS TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER', to eliminate the unlimited period within which convictions of certain misdemeanors constitute grounds for refusal to issue a permit to carry a pistol or revolver and to substitute in lieu thereof, convictions of such misdemeanors within the preceding five years. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY. SUPPORT. Public Hearing 2/19. Died in Committee 3/7. CCS Testimony.

XX 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. 2/7 Raised. S.B. No. 225 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY. 'AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALE OR DELIVERY OF RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS', 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. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY. SUPPORT. Public Hearing 2/19. Died in Committee 3/7. CCS Testimony.

XX 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. Preemption: Establish the authority of the Legislature by statute to inform/preclude municipalities from writing local firearms ordinances inconsistent with state law. 

XX 6. 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. 2/7 Raised. H.B. No. 5299 (RAISED) PUBLIC SAFETY. 'AN ACT ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT THAT VENDORS KEEP A RECORD OF PISTOL AND REVOLVER SALES', to eliminate the requirement that the vendor of any pistol or revolver keep a record of each pistol or revolver sold in a book kept for such purpose. REF. PUBLIC SAFETY. SUPPORT.  Public Hearing 2/19. Died in Committee 3/7. CCS Testimony.

7. 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.

CT State Police Proposals: None known. 

Hunting

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, MD currently has bill); 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!

XX 2. Armed Forces Hunting Permits: Charge non-resident active full-time members of the armed forces the same firearm and bowhunting permit fee as charged a resident of the state. Mirrors that for Licenses. Amendment to DEP fees bill HB05046 to be addressed in the Special Session. Not Addressed.

3. Preemption: Establish the authority of the Legislature by statute to inform/preclude municipalities from writing local wildlife ordinances inconsistent with state law. 

XX 4. Correct alleged conflicting statute, which has delayed for three years the implementation of Falconry.

XX 5. Address DEP General Funding. Repeal $5 Million/year DEP License fees paid to General Fund by DEP.

Fishing

XX 1. Repeal provision-precluding maintenance/repairs to Lattins Cove boat launch ramp on Candlewood Lake. Included in Testimony on H.B. 5664, AN ACT CONCERNING PUBLIC SAFETY AND RESOURCE PROTECTION AT CANDLEWOOD LAKE. PUBLIC HEARING 3/11. CCS Testimony.  Not included in JF. DEAD  Amendment submitted on SB00427 The Boating While Intoxicated bill to be addressed in the Special Session. PASSED

DEP Proposals

Not Known.

Miscellaneous

XX 1. Change the Cabaret Tax by raising the tax exemption on dues and initiation fees ($100 to $200). Proposed H.B. No. 5229 REP. DELGOBBO, 70th DIST. 'AN ACT CONCERNING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE DUES TAX', to provide an exemption from the dues and initiation fees tax to include clubs that have annual dues and initiation fees less than two hundred dollars. REF. FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING. SUPPORT. No Action - DEAD.

XX 2. Recapture additional motorboat fuel taxes from the Transportation Fund and change the application back to dedicated funds for Fishing and Boating ONLY. SB00371 AN ACT CONCERNING UNREDEEMED MOTOR BOAT FUEL TAX REVENUES. SUPPORT. PUBLIC HEARING 3/1. CCS Testimony. No Action - DEAD.

XX 3. Provide that Interest on Boating Registration revenue be allocated to the Boating Fund. Testimony included in bill S.B. No. 371 (RAISED) ENVIRONMENT. 'AN ACT CONCERNING UNREDEEMED MOTOR BOAT FUEL TAX REVENUES', to provide proper distribution and application of motor boat fuel taxes. REF. ENVIRONMENT 2/21. Included in S.B. 371 Testimony 3/1. SUPPORT. No Action - DEAD.

 

4. Repeal Special Acts in conflict with DEP management/recreational activities (Ice fishing Lake Quonnipaug, Westport hunting).

Contact your legislators of YOUR support/opposition to this year's bills. Provide CCS with ANY legislator's position statements so we can develop FOR/AGAINST lists and brief those who need more detailed information. Inform/Discuss bills proposed with your club/associates and post legislative summaries on your Bulletin Boards. YOUR input is needed!

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