Josh Sugarmann at the Violence Policy Center released the following statement after Connecticut Governor Malloy signed HB 1160, An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety.
“By passing comprehensive legislation that will save lives, my home state of Connecticut responded with courage, conviction, and compassion to the horrific tragedy last December at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 innocent children and six brave educators dead. Connecticut’s new assault weapons ban will be the strongest state ban on the books. Together with new restrictions on high-capacity ammunition magazines, the new law takes the steps necessary to help prevent mass shootings. The law also makes important changes to the handgun permitting system and will help prevent tragedies like the 2010 shooting by a man licensed to carry a handgun that left eight dead at a Hartford beer distributor. The law will also regulate the sale of ammunition by ensuring that a background check is performed on buyers. This is particularly important since federal law places virtually no restrictions on the transfer of ammunition. Connecticut’s bi-partisan action should be a model for federal legislators. “