State senator Beth Bye and state representative Bob Godfrey, two Connecticut democrats, have introduced legislation that would severely limit ownership of firearms and access to ammunition for Ct. residents.
Proposed Bill Number 161, which they refer to as “an act concerning the reduction of gun violence” would instantly make Connecticut gun owners criminals unless they complied with state mandated gun registration. All firearms would require registration with state law enforcement and gun owners would then be required to have a biennial renewal of the registration.
In addition to firearm registration gun owners that have possession of a rifle with a pistol grip would require an additional permit.
The bill goes well beyond registration of guns and would require individuals to “obtain a permit in order to purchase ammunition” and criminalize ownership of “feeding devices that accept more than ten rounds.”
An amendment within the bill that involves the storage of guns and ammo is particularly confusing. The amendment would prohibit the storage of any firearm and ammunition that “allows access by a person under the age of eighteen.” It is unclear how this storage would take place in a manner acceptable under the law.
Connecticut currently has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. According to current law “Colt AR-15 and Sporter” along with an extensively enumerated list of other firearms are already designated as “Assault Weapons.” The new law would allow any long gun with a telescoping stock or pistol grip to be labeled an assault weapon.
The definition of an assault weapon is important because Connecticut considers transporting, or offering for sale one of these guns as a “class C felony and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of which two years may not be suspended or reduced.”
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Judiciary January 12, 2013. To read the bill click here.