Connecticut likely to OK strictest gun rules in US
Source: Agencies |
April 3, 2013, Wednesday
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CONNECTICUT lawmakers are expected to vote today on sweeping proposals to curb gun violence, saying they hope to send a message across the US that a bipartisan agreement on gun control is possible in the wake of the horrific Newtown elementary school shooting.
Legislative leaders on Monday revealed proposals spurred by the December 14 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, following weeks of bipartisan, closed-door negotiations. Democrats control both chambers of the state legislature, making passage all but assured.
"Democrats and Republicans were able to come to an agreement on a strong, comprehensive bill," said Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr, who called the proposed legislation the strongest, most comprehensive bill in the country.
The Newtown mass shooting reignited the gun debate in the US and led to calls for increased gun control legislation on the federal and state levels. While some other states have strengthened their gun laws, momentum has stalled in Congress, whose members were urged by President Barack Obama last week not to forget the shooting.
The Connecticut deal includes a ban on new high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six educators dead. There are also new registration requirements for existing magazines that carry 10 or more bullets, something of a disappointment for some family members of Newtown victims who wanted an outright ban on the possession of all high-capacity magazines.
The package also creates what lawmakers said is the nation's first statewide dangerous weapon offender registry, creates a new "ammunition eligibility certificate," imposes immediate universal background checks for all firearms sales, extends the state's assault weapons ban to 100 new types of firearms and requires that a weapon have only one of several features in order to be banned.
The newly banned weapons could no longer be bought or sold in Connecticut, and those legally owned already would have to be registered.
The bill also addresses mental health and school security measures, including gun restrictions for people who've been committed to mental health facilities and restoration of a state grant to pay for school safety improvements.
Legislative leaders on Monday revealed proposals spurred by the December 14 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, following weeks of bipartisan, closed-door negotiations. Democrats control both chambers of the state legislature, making passage all but assured.
"Democrats and Republicans were able to come to an agreement on a strong, comprehensive bill," said Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr, who called the proposed legislation the strongest, most comprehensive bill in the country.
The Newtown mass shooting reignited the gun debate in the US and led to calls for increased gun control legislation on the federal and state levels. While some other states have strengthened their gun laws, momentum has stalled in Congress, whose members were urged by President Barack Obama last week not to forget the shooting.
The Connecticut deal includes a ban on new high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six educators dead. There are also new registration requirements for existing magazines that carry 10 or more bullets, something of a disappointment for some family members of Newtown victims who wanted an outright ban on the possession of all high-capacity magazines.
The package also creates what lawmakers said is the nation's first statewide dangerous weapon offender registry, creates a new "ammunition eligibility certificate," imposes immediate universal background checks for all firearms sales, extends the state's assault weapons ban to 100 new types of firearms and requires that a weapon have only one of several features in order to be banned.
The newly banned weapons could no longer be bought or sold in Connecticut, and those legally owned already would have to be registered.
The bill also addresses mental health and school security measures, including gun restrictions for people who've been committed to mental health facilities and restoration of a state grant to pay for school safety improvements.
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