Governor Malloy’s "common sense gun safety reforms" are a malicious assault on more than 300,000 lawful firearm owners in Connecticut. His invasive proposals do absolutely nothing to diminish crime and would have had zero effect in preventing the horrific tragedy in Newtown.
The term “military-style assault weapon” is used to instill fear. The criminal use of these semi-automatic firearms is less than 1 percent, yet the governor would have us believe they are the root of all evil. The fact is, millions of these firearms are used throughout the country for recreational and competitive shooting as well as hunting. One irresponsible heinous act should not be used to punish countless lawful citizens.
The proposed 10-round magazine capacity restrictions have been proven ineffective, supported by FBI and Justice Department reports. Implementing one here will be just as ineffective in reducing crime. This ban would force legally purchased property to be altered, diminishing its value, sold out of state or surrendered via invasive state regulations. Criminals will not comply.
The governor has demanded permit requirements for almost every traditional hunting rifle and shotgun as a crime-fighting measure. Only lawful citizens are affected. How will this make our state safer?
He wants to record and register ammunition purchases. This practice was abandoned by ATF, citing it was not useful in criminal investigations. This would be another useless measure that criminals will ignore.
The governor wishes to include a host of non-violent misdemeanors as a measure o permanently disqualifying a citizen from owning a firearm, somehow reducing crime.
The governor is hiding behind his assault on lawful firearm owners to camouflage the irresponsible decision of the state to collectively turn its back years ago on those suffering from mental illness. Our state Corrections Department is now where most of the mentally violent cycle through, without treatment.
Blaming lawful firearm owners for the horror of Newtown is disingenuous and misguided.
The governor has refused to wait for forthcoming reports from the task forces and has avoided any meaningful discussions with sportsmen’s groups in his zeal to address his anti-gun agenda. His disrespect for lawful gun owners is glaringly apparent and the use of the Newtown tragedy as a pawn in his strategy is repugnant.
Thomas Phelps
Lisbon