State of Connecticut secondary Archives: on Gun Control

Jahana Hayes: Constituents want gun control, and Hayes will work on it

Chris Murphy: Teachers don't want to be armed; nor do parents or students

"Arming teachers is one of the most dangerous ideas that anyone could ever come up with for our school children," Murphy said. "Teachers don't want to be armed. Parents don't want schools to be armed. Kids don't want their schools to be armed. We are going to do everything n our power to make sure that Department of Education funds, taxpayer dollars, do not get used to put weapons in our classrooms."

The plan prompted swift condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and many educators, who accused the Trump administration of wanting to deprive students of much-needed mental health support and other resources in the interests of the National Rifle Association.

Chris Murphy: Stricter gun control laws on a federal level

As Connecticut enacted stricter gun control legislation in the state, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy stepped up calls for stricter gun control laws on a federal level.

He introduced an amendment that would block the Education Department from using the funds to arm schools [as the Trump administration is considering]. "Teachers' jobs are already hard enough," Murphy said. "We ask teachers to do more today than we ever have before."

He said teachers are stretched thin today and don't have the ability to be trained in firearms and to safely manipulate and store weapons in schools. "The Secretary of Education cares more about the firearms industry's bottom line than the safety of our kids, and that should scare parents to death," Murphy said .

Bob Stefanowski: No more gun controls; gun owners have been persecuted

Ned Lamont: We learn first hand the cost of unregulated gun ownership

We have learned first hand the cost of unregulated gun ownership. As Governor, and as a parent and educator, I will make sure that we continue to lead the nation in gun safety, and I won't let Republicans and the NRA push us backwards. Connecticut is a leader on...

• Requiring background checks for all firearm sales
• Expanding the existing ban on assault weapons
• Mandating registration of all existing assault rifles and high-capacity magazines
• Prohibiting the sale of higher-capacity magazines, those with more than 10 rounds
• Prohibiting the purchase or possession of firearms for convicted abusers and those subject to domestic violence restraining/protective orders.

Ned Lamont: Ban bump stocks, and other common sense restrictions

As governor, I will expand gun buyback programs like the one that has had success in New Haven. It yielded 141 weapons this past December, and I plan on actively supporting any future buyback programs shown to reduce the number of weapons in our communities.

As governor, I will be a vocal advocate for smart, common sense legislation; work with our federal delegation, and regional leaders to be on the right side of history putting the safety of our communities first, and be a consistent, strong voice demanding national change such as ending the federal ban on gun violence research at the CDC.

Dan Malloy: NRA has developed into a terrorist organization

"They act quite frankly in some cases as a terrorist organization," said Malloy. "You want to make safer guns? We will boycott your company. That's who they are. That's what they do."

Malloy said the NRA is a different organization than what it used to be. "The NRA today is a far cry from the NRA that in 1999 said that teachers shouldn't carry weapons in schools," said Malloy. "Or in the 90's said we should have universal background checks. They have in essence become a terrorist organization."

The NRA released the following statement in regards to Gov. Malloy's terrorist remarks: "The NRA is comprised of over five million law-abiding citizens. So let's be clear Governor Malloy just called tens of thousands of his constituents terrorists. NRA members love our children and want them to be safe just as much as anyone else; we just disagree that punishing law-abiding citizens is the way to achieve that goal."

Prasad Srinivasan: It is person behind AR15s that bring about massacres

Just days ago, Nikolas Cruz used an AR-15 rifle to kill 17 people in a high school. He purchased the weapon legally, which would not have been possible if Florida had a gun law like Connecticut's. But Mr. Srinivasan believes our law is no good.

"If it came up today, yes, I would vote differently because I know so much more now than I did,'' he said. He continued: "When I look at it now, I'm realizing more and more that it is the person behind these objects that can be used to bring about the massacres."

Mr. Srinivasan is right in that much more can be done in terms of mental health treatment. But doing more in the mental health area does not mean one must simultaneously remove any other established protection.

Dan Malloy: Close loopholes; ban bump stocks

Dan Malloy: Allow early voting, explore vote by mail

Matthew Corey: Gun control needs more mental health programs

Catherine Templeton: Gun owner & NRA member

August Wolf: Never disarm law abiding Americans

Tom Foley: Newtown law added inconveniences on law-abiding citizens

Foley declined to take a position on the Connecticut law that prohibits the sale of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. The ban was signed into law by Gov. Dan Malloy (D) last year as part of a comprehensive package that also expanded background checks for private gun sales and broadened the state's assault weapons ban to include newer firearms models. "I'm not going to rewrite the bill, but there were a lot of inconveniences put on law-abiding citizens that wouldn't have prevented what happened in Newtown," Foley said. "These guns were bought with a background check and everything was legal. My bill would have been different." When pressed further on what that alternative bill might look like, Foley said, "I'm not going to answer that question."

Tom Foley: Let stand current gun laws, but no specific proposals

Foley let the remark pass. Foley has made the calculation there is no profit in expressing an opinion about whether the state was right to ban the sales of military-style weapons such as the AR-15 rifle and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Instead, Foley has tried to neutralize the issue by saying he would not seek the repeal or the revision of the law, which McKinney voted for and Malloy signed. In a GOP primary, polls indicate the advantage lies not with the legislator who voted for gun control.

Maggie Hassan: Background check system to avoid gun sales to mentally ill

I understand that some oppose changes to this system because they have concerns about the impact on 2nd amendment rights, and some because they fear such changes would stigmatize those with mental illness.

Senator Watters has led efforts to address this challenge in a thoughtful way, leading toward a measure to study the issue and make recommendations for further legislation. I encourage both the Senate and House to pass this bill, and I encourage those who have initially opposed the measure to be willing to re-evaluate their positions and to help find a way through this issue, together.

Tom Foley: Enough on gun control; focus on preventing another Newtown

"Foley last month said he wanted to wait until the police report was issued on the slayings by Adam Lanza of 26 people, including 20 first-graders, at Sandy Hook Elementary School Dec. 14 in Newtown. That report is not due out until June. 'I thought gun legislation ought to focus on what would prevent another Newtown from happening,' Foley said. 'Newtown has obviously been politicized nationally.'"

Foley also accused Malloy of using the Newtown tragedy "to change the subject away from the budget; [the Newtown gun bill] includes a lot of things totally unrelated to Newtown" he said. Pressed on which aspects were irrelevant to the murders, Foley said, "Enough on gun control. It's over."

Dan Malloy: Restrict sales of "long guns" and ammunition capacity by age

• A "long gun" means a firearm other than a pistol or revolver.
• No person or corporation may sell or transfer any long gun to any person under 18 years of age.
• No person or corporation may sell or transfer any semi-automatic centerfire rifle that accepts a magazine with a capacity exceeding five rounds to any person under 21 years of age.
• The provisions shall not apply to local police departments, the Department of Correction, or members of the military, for use in the discharge of their duties.
• After April 1, 2014, no person may purchase or receive any long gun unless such person holds a valid long gun eligibility certificate, a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver, or a valid permit to sell a pistol or revolver, except for a federal marshal, parole officer or peace officer.

Dan Carter: Voted NO on restricting sales of "long guns" and ammo by age

• A "long gun" means a firearm other than a pistol or revolver.
• No person or corporation may sell or transfer any long gun to any person under 18 years of age.
• No person or corporation may sell or transfer any semi-automatic centerfire rifle that accepts a magazine with a capacity exceeding five rounds to any person under 21 years of age.
• The provisions shall not apply to local police departments, the Department of Correction, or members of the military.
• After April 1, 2014, no person may purchase or receive any long gun unless such person holds a valid long gun eligibility certificate, or a valid permit to sell a pistol or revolver, except for a federal marshal, parole officer or peace officer.

Dan Malloy: More guns are not the answer to gun violence

More guns are not the answer to gun violence As long as weapons continue to travel up and down I-95, what is available for sale in Florida or Virginia can have devastating consequences here in Connecticut.

Ann-Marie Adams: Newtown massacre exposes race and class prejudice

Chris Murphy: NRA has more control over Congress than any other group

Murphy said lobbying by the National Rifle Association makes such legislation nearly impossible in Washington. "The NRA has more control over Congress than almost any other political interest group there," he said.

Tom Foley: Supports 2nd amendment but require reporting stolen firearms