Community Corner

Stratford Legislators Split on Gun Bill

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy expected to sign bill into law at noon Thursday.

Stratford legislators in Hartford are split on a piece of gun legislation the governor is expected to sign into law at noon today.

Vote tallies courtesy of the Hartford Courant.

From the House of Representatives:

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State Rep. Terry Backer (D): Yes

State Rep. Laura Hoydick (R): No

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State Rep. Lawrence Miller (R): No

From the Senate:

State Sen. Kevin Kelly (R): Yes

State Sen. Andres Ayala (D): Yes

According to the Hartford Courant, the law will:

  • Require universal background checks for purchasers of all firearms.
  • Immediately expand the state's existing ban on assault weapons. The list of banned weapons includes the Bushmaster AR-15 semiautomatic rifle used by Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza.
  • Prohibit the sale and purchase of large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds -- such as the 30-round magazines used by Lanza. (In a compromise, owners of those large-capacity magazines would not be required to turn them in, although their use would be restricted and they would have to be registered with the state by Jan. 1, 2014. Likewise, people who already own semiautomatic rifles defined as assault weapons could keep them if they submit to new registration procedures.)
  • Require an eligibility certificate beginning Oct. 1 for all purchases of ammunition and long guns. To obtain certification to buy ammunition, purchasers would have to pass a federal criminal background check.
  • Create a dangerous weapon offender registry.
  • Expand penalties for illegal gun trafficking.


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