This is an open letter to the elected officials of Connecticut and concerned citizens:
I am a long-time supporter, financially and morally, of CT Against Gun Violence and have applauded their accomplishments in the last legislative session. The new gun law was a triumph of common sense and the law should be allowed to stand unchanged. Simply put, we can not allow any amnesty nor leniency for owners of automatic weapons and high capacity clips . . .
Earlier this week, I received an email from CAGV that has me distressed. Apparently, the organization wishes to support a limited amnesty for gun owners who have either intentionally or unintentionally ignored the registration deadline at the end of December. In exchange, CAGV proposes other tweaks to the law that seem too technical to matter much.
I am against this proposal and I am writing today to implore all of our elected officials to block any sort of “amnesty” for owners of automatic assault weapons or high capacity clips. These items are a menace to your culture and it should be left to the courts to decide if changes to the law are warranted, not political back scratching.
Our best in the nation law was passed last spring and these people have had many months during which to get their act together and submit the required forms. Offering those who were too lazy or too stupid to comply in the allotted time a window during which to register their now illegal assault weapons and clips is an insult. Ignorance of the law and/or a belated sense of concern about being caught is no reason to change the law. Let these “law abiding citizens” reap what they have sown and leave the ban as it is.
That John McKinney and other Republicans seems to be supporting this “amnesty” should be seen for the political act that it is. McKinney has learned that his noble support of the new law has soured the GOP base against him and he is seeking to get back in their good graces. As residents of Connecticut we should not allow McKinney and other worried/vulnerable Republicans to shore up their support with the GOP gun owners at the expense of the rule of law.
No amnesty, no leniency, no exceptions. Voters are watching you Hartford. And the CAGV membership is watching its leadership.
I am a CAGV dissenter.
[h/t: ctsheepdog]