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One Year Later, Groups Praise Connecticut's Stricter Gun Laws

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Gov. Dannel Malloy, along with legislative leaders and many gun-violence prevention organizations, commemorated the one-year anniversary of the passage of historic legislation to curb the risk of gun violence in Connecticut after the deadly Sandy Hook shootings.

Members of gun violence protection groups celebrate the one-year anniversary of the passage of Connecticut's stricter gun laws.

Members of gun violence protection groups celebrate the one-year anniversary of the passage of Connecticut's stricter gun laws.

Photo Credit: State of Connecticut / House Democrats
Gov. Dannel Malloy released compiled under the new law.

Gov. Dannel Malloy released compiled under the new law.

Photo Credit: State of Connecticut / House Democrats

“In the wake of one of the worst tragedies to befall our state, we took clear and decisive action to make all residents in every one of our cities and towns safer,” Malloy said Thursday at the state Capitol. “The common sense limitations we put in place will make sure that guns are less likely to fall into the hands of someone who shouldn’t have one.

"The investments in school security and the additional steps we are taking to address the challenges in accessing mental services are really the first steps toward long-term improvements in public safety. I want to thank my colleagues in the legislature and the thousands of people who came out to support the measures we put in place."

Among the many provisions in the bill, the law bans the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity magazines, requires a clean criminal record, safety training and a permit to buy rifles, shotguns and ammunition, whether it is from a gun store or private sale. 

The state now requires background checks and training for the purchase of all categories of guns. 

Additionally, convicted felons caught with ammunition now face the same penalty as they would if they got caught with a firearm. 

The bill also increased funding for mental health treatment and school security. 

Malloy also released statistics that have been compiled as different parts of the law went into effect:

  • To date, 50,242 assault-weapon certifications have been received and 38,209 gun owners filed declarations listing the number and type of large capacity magazines they owned. Some declarations contained hundreds of individual magazines. 
  • The state has also issued 2,592 ammunition certificates and received 61 eligibility certificates for long guns.
  • In addition, 1,747 pistol permits were revoked for reasons including drunk driving, mental health commitments, restraining and protective orders in domestic violence cases.
  • And 210 people tried to buy rifles and shotguns and were denied when background checks turned up felony convictions, undocumented alien status and domestic violence charges.

“One year ago, in the wake of the devastating tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Democrats and Republicans in Connecticut worked together to pass the most effective and comprehensive legislation in the nation concerning gun violence prevention, school security, and mental health,” said Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn).  “Our successful bipartisan effort stands in stark contrast to Congress and those states that are mired in gridlock and partisanship on issues that affect the safety of our children." 

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