New Haven Register - 08/08/2007

Bill makes it a crime to not report stolen guns
by Mark Zaretsky , Register Staff

EAST HAVEN - Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed a bill Tuesday that aims to squelch illegal gun trafficking by requiring owners to report any lost or stolen guns within 72 hours of discovering them missing.

"What this law does is very simple: It targets irresponsible gun owners," Rell said at East Haven police headquarters.

She was flanked by East Haven and state police - including Police Chief Leonard Gallo and state Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III - mayors Joseph Maturo Jr. of East Haven and John Fabrizi of Bridgeport, and state legislators and gun-control advocates who pushed to make the bill law.

"Police are often powerless if they trace a gun used in a crime back to its owner," Rell said. When they do, more often than not, she said, "the owner claims it was stolen."

"Think for a minute about how many people simply buy guns and then give them to other people" who may not be legally allowed to carry them, she said.

The law aims to stop that kind of activity, Rell said, adding that "people who are responsible gun owners have no trouble with this bill."

Rell said the measure "will prove to be a useful tool for law enforcement by closing up a loophole in our laws."

The law takes effect Oct. 1 and is similar to laws in effect in Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island, Rell said.

A first-time failure to report a lost or stolen gun within 72 hours is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $90, Rell said, but gun owners will not lose their pistol permits. Any further unintentional failure to report a lost or stolen gun will be a Class D felony, subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and up to five years in prison.

Intentional failure to report a lost or stolen gun will be a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, Rell said.

Previously, the law required gun owners only report the theft of assault weapons "and contained no penalties," Rell said.

The new law makes it a crime for individuals to engage in firearm trafficking by knowingly and intentionally giving someone who cannot legally possess firearms access to them. A violation involving more than five firearms will be a Class B felony.

The law does not apply to long guns or to antique firearms.

Those attending included Town Council member April Capone Almon, D-3, who spoke on behalf of state Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee and a co-sponsor of the bill.

Also attending were Dr. Keith Bradley of Fairfield and Gloria Bindelglass of Easton, co-presidents of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, who both work in the emergency room at Bridgeport Hospital.

©New Haven Register 2007

Return to News List