To date, two suits have been filed: the first on the grounds that the bans on assault weapons and large capacity magazines discriminate against disabled persons who need these light and powerful weapons to adequately defend themselves; the second, while reiterating the discrimination claim of the first suit,  also complains on other grounds including that the weapons banned are in common use and therefore protected by the Second Amendment, that dealers are made to suffer economic setbacks, that the laws are unconstitutionally vague, and that the law infringes on the right of equal protection because law enforcement is allowed to keep and use these weapons while citizens are not.

Attorney General of Connecticut George Jepsen and his office will of course vigorously defend against these claims. We have also been in contact with the Brady Law Center in DC and the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco, who will also help in the defense.

Similar suits have been filed against new legislation in Maryland, Colorado, and New York.   Colorado also has an effort underway to recall the Senate President, targeted because he led the effort to pass their new gun bills.

We stand by the constitutionality and legitimacy of our bills on all grounds and are confident that they will be upheld by the Courts.  Since the Heller and McDonald Supreme Court decisions in 2007 and 2010, more than 300 challenges to gun laws have been filed by the gun lobby with very little success.

While we are confident that these challenges, and others that may be forthcoming, will be defeated, the outcome of court cases are not always predictable; we must be vigilant, and we must be prepared with airtight defenses.

To read more on each suit, see below:

• http://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/x1031156135/New-London-man-challenges-state-gun-law-in-court#axzz2U8NbbHDy
• http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/second_challenge_to_cts_new_gun_laws_filed/

Answers to these questions and more:

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Governor Malloy signs landmark gun violence bill on 4/4/2013

Along with several provisions affecting mental health and school safety, the law also reforms several major aspects of Connecticut’s gun laws. These reforms include:

• A ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons
• A ban on the sale of large capacity magazines (over ten rounds)
• An extension of current background check requirements to cover rifles, shotguns, and all ammunition
• More comprehensive mental health record checks for firearms purchases
• A ban on armor piercing ammunition
• An expansion of current safe storage liability laws
• A statewide dangerous weapon offender registry
• Increased penalties for firearms trafficking and possession offenses

Learn more about the law and find out whether your representatives voted for or against it:

What’s in the New Law?

The new law targets mental health, school security, and gun violence. The full text of the bill (138 pages) is available here; a detailed summary of each provision in “non-legal language” can be found here. A summary of the gun violence provisions is reproduced below.

How Did Your Representatives Vote?

• State representatives’ votes are listed in alphabetical order here.
• State senators’ votes are listed in alphabetical order here.

Don’t know who your senator and representative are? Enter your address here to find out.

How Does the New Law Measure Up?

Below is a list of the proposals on CAGV’s legislative agenda for 2013. Proposals that will be fully implemented by the new law are noted in green; proposals that will be partially implemented are noted in yellow [with caveats in brackets]; and proposals that were not included in the new law are noted in red.

1. Universal background checks
2. Permits for long guns & ammunition
3. Assault weapons ban [prospective]
4. High-capacity magazine ban [prospective]
5. Unsafe storage liability [mental health only]
6. Bulk purchase limit (one per month)
7. Registration and annual renewal

Although Connecticut passed a strong bill this week, there is still work to be done. We hope you will stick with us as we work to achieve our remaining goals in next year’s legislative session.

CT Against Gun Violence is a 501 C4 Organization. CAGV’s mission is to identify, develop, and promote campaigns to pass legislation designed to enhance gun safety in Connecticut.  CAGV is also involved in national gun violence prevention policy.

Ron Pinciaro is Executive Director of the organization.

CT Against Gun Violence

P.O. Box 523    Southport, CT  06890
tel:  203-335-3802
www.cagv.org