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Connecticut tightens anti-gun laws once again

Governor Ned Lamont signed a new bill adding restrictions on civilian purchases of weapons and body armor.

Instructores de armas de fuego en Connecticut.

(Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

Published by
Juan Peña

Connecticut, one of the states with the most prohibitive gun laws, is going one step further and tightening its gun restrictions. On Tuesday, Governor Ned Lamont signed HB 6667, which adds new restrictions on the possession and purchase of handguns, semi-automatic rifles and even bulletproof vests.

HB 6667 was prompted by Gov. Lamont himself, who just this week celebrated 30 years of Connecticut's assault weapons ban. In the words of the Democratic governor, the signing of this law is "fair, commonsense balance" and a way to prevent mass shootings and other forms of gun-related violence.

According to Lamont, the new law will add new regulations to respond to the ways in which firearms manufacturers have circumvented previous restrictions. In 2012, a horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School prompted new legislative initiatives. In the Sandy Hook massacre, a shooter stormed the school and killed 20 students and six school staffers.

In calling for greater federal government involvement, Lamont noted that "the inaction of Congress on critical legislation to keep Americans safe requires each state to act individually."

Lamont's new law is expected to be taken to a federal appeals court for violating the Second Amendment. Such an appeal bore fruit in New York, when the State Rifle and Pistol Association appealed the state legislators' decision.

Other states tighten security at schools to prevent shootings. This is the case of Tennessee which, after the Covenant School attack, announced initiatives to improve security conditions in schools, as well as more investment in mental health care for students and alumni.

New restrictions

The new restrictions in Connecticut affect these following matters:

  • Prohibits open carry of weapons in public, with some exceptions.
  • Expands list of disqualifying offenses for those with criminal records.
  • Reinforces the "ghost gun" registration system.
  • Purchases of more than three handguns per month are restricted.
  • The legal liability of sellers is increased.
  • The required use of secure gun compartments is expanded.
  • The definitions of assault weapons are expanded to include more models.
  • The prohibition of large-capacity chargers is extended.
  • The minimum age for purchase increases to 21 years old.
  • Pre-purchase training requirements are expanded.
  • The sale of a trigger lock is mandatory with each weapon.
  • A gun permit will be required to purchase a bulletproof vest.
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