In an April 3 New Haven Register editorial, the Register states that the Connecticut gun control legislation is something to be proud of. If this was an accomplishment worth noting, the new laws would not be labeled as “emergency” to bypass comments and discussion prior to votes. Certainly not a proud way to pass any law.
If normal procedures were followed, the misguided legislation would not have passed. Police in Connecticut, and elsewhere, do not have a substantial problem with legally obtained AR-15 weapons being used in criminal activity, or high-capacity magazines. There is no age requirement to buy high-capacity magazines - are we really going to arrest people for having gun parts? Who is going to trace the hundreds of thousands of high capacity magazines already in Connecticut? They have no serial numbers or identifying markings.
This appears to be a rush to pass something that sounds good, but don’t look too closely at the law. Perhaps Sen. Looney and others involved with reducing gun violence should address the long-term criminal activity in their own districts - the new laws will not affect violent crime in Connecticut.
Connecticut should look to other states in New England for laws that work. New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine have far fewer gun laws and significantly less crime. Chicago and New York are perfect examples of how passing more gun laws does not reduce criminal gun activity. Only law-abiding citizens are hindered and criminalized.
Now that the “emergency” gun legislation is passé, perhaps Connecticut can borrow ideas that work so well in other states (like car safety inspections) that will actually save lives. Please ask your elected officials to show the results of the new laws on gun crime (and new taxes) before you vote.
Tom Webb
Hamden