The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges support for SB 64, An Act Concerning the Regulation of Firearms, without amendment. The bill has been passed by the Senate. The League supports measures to protect the health and safety of citizens through regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. We support SB 64, which makes revisions in the existing statute prohibiting the carrying of a loaded firearm or hunting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The standard for determining intoxication while carrying a loaded firearm should be no less than that for driving a car. The bill accomplishes this objective by setting the same .08 blood alcohol level statutory standard as that for operating a motor vehicle and thereby provides consistency in determining intoxication. SB 64 has the support of the CT Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection and will clarify the permit conditions of our state gun laws. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges your support of this prudent measure to reinforce the public safety of our state’s citizens from firearm violence. Respectfully submitted, Naomi Schiff Myers, Alison Rivard and Sue McCalley, Public Issues Team LWVCT The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges opposition to HB 5245, An Act Concerning the Application Requirements for a Temporary State Permit to Carry a Pistol or Revolver, as currently drafted. This bill has been passed by the House and we urge legislators to obtain clarification on portions AND/OR consider the ramifications for your local officials of the proposed bill before casting votes. The League supports measures to protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Whether intentionally or inadvertently, HB 5245 seems to weaken the ability of local permit-issuing authorities to obtain information needed to determine whether an applicant for a temporary permit to carry handguns meets the state criteria and is a “suitable person” to get a gun permit. The bill would repeal Section 29-28(a) of the General Statutes and substitute language which identifies the specific application form of the Dept. of Emergency Services and Public Protection that an applicant must submit, which form must be completed and notarized. The glaring problem is the additional proposed language “which form may NOT be modified or supplemented with additional forms.” The OLR Bill Analysis states that “it is unclear if the bill limits other types of information or documentation the [local] authority, under existing law, may request to find an applicant meets criteria and is a “suitable person” to get a gun permit.” Under our existing CT law, requests for a temporary state permit to carry a handgun are submitted to the local chief of police or comparable authority or official who has the discretion to make the final determination whether the applicant wants the firearm for lawful purposes and is a “suitable” person to get a permit. There are also categories of persons explicitly barred from possessing handguns or obtaining a gun permit under Section 29-28(b). This law has served the public safety well. The level of firearm-related crimes and disturbances differ substantially within the state, so that local authorities may have information that would necessitate their requiring more or less documentation from an applicant in order to make an informed decision on suitability. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut believes that we must retain prudent measures to reinforce the public safety of our state’s citizens from firearm violence. We urge your opposition to HB 5245 as currently drafted. Respectfully submitted, Naomi Schiff Myers, Alison Rivard and Sue McCalley Public Issues Team League of Women Voters of Connecticut LWVCT Support SB 64 Regulating Firearms 04/16/2012
Submitted to Judiciary Committee The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges support for SB 64, An Act Concerning the Regulation of Firearms, which has been reported out favorably by the Joint Committee on Public Safety & Security. LWVCT supports SB 64, which makes revisions in the existing statute prohibiting the carrying of a firearm or hunting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The standard for determining intoxication while carrying a loaded firearm should be no less than that for driving a car. The bill accomplishes this objective by setting the same .08 blood alcohol level statutory standard as that for operating a motor vehicle and thereby provides consistency in determining intoxication. SB 64 has the support of the CT Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection and will clarify the permit conditions of our state gun laws. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut urges your support of this prudent measure to reinforce the public safety of our state’s citizens from firearm violence. Respectfully submitted, Naomi Schiff Myers and Alison Rivard LWVCT Co-Directors of Social Policy The Honorable Richard Blumenthal 30 Lewis Street, Suite 101 Hartford, CT 06103 Fax: (860) 258-6958 March 20, 2012 Dear Senator Blumenthal: The League of Women Voters of Connecticut requests that you oppose S. 2188, introduced on March 13, 2012--The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012. We vigorously oppose legislation that would allow non-residents who have not met Connecticut’s licensing requirements to carry concealed guns into our state. The League supports protection of the health and safety of citizens through regulation of ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. The League believes that careful regulation and licensing procedures are essential for public safety. Under S. 2188, a state’s laws about who can be licensed and carry concealed weapons within the state would not apply, because the bill would require the states to recognize each other’s carry permits. S. 2188 is unacceptable to the LWVCT, because it would conflict with and undermine current Connecticut permit and licensing gun laws. As you are aware, our state of Connecticut has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country, including a suitability standard. These laws have broad public support within the state. Connecticut is a “May-Issue” state, and its law enforcement agencies are not required by law to issue permits to carry handguns to those who are not considered to be suitable persons to possess or carry a handgun. Other states that are “Shall-Issue” or worse still “Unrestricted” have no such provisions, and their citizens would be permitted to carry concealed weapons into our state with no input from law enforcement agents anywhere. Therefore, the possibility exists that some visitors with concealed weapons would have been denied a permit if they were Connecticut residents. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut and its more than 1800 members strongly urge you to vote against The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2012. This Act would conflict with Connecticut’s laws for issuing gun permits for the protection of its citizens and would set a dangerous precedent. Thank you for considering this request. Sincerely, Naomi Schiff Myers & Alison Rivard Co-Directors, Social Policy The following letter was sent to all five Representatives from Connecticut. The Honorable John B. Larson 1005 Longworth House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 October 19, 2011 Dear Representative Larson: The League of Women Voters of Connecticut requests that you oppose H.R. 822, The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. The League supports protection of the health and safety of citizens through regulation of ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. The League believes that careful regulation and licensing procedures are essential for consumer safety. Under H.R. 822, a state’s laws about who can be licensed and carry concealed weapons would not apply. The law would require the states to recognize each other’s carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses. H.R. 822 is unacceptable to the LWVCT, because it would conflict with and undermine current Connecticut permit and licensing gun laws. As you are aware, your state of Connecticut has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country, including a suitability standard, and these laws have broad public support within the state. Connecticut is a “May-Issue” state, and its law enforcement agencies are not required by law to issue permits to carry handguns to those who are not considered to be suitable persons to possess or carry a handgun. Other states that are “Shall-Issue” or worse still “Unrestricted” have no such provisions, and their citizens would be permitted to carry concealed weapons into our state with no input from law enforcement agents anywhere. Therefore, the possibility exists that some of those visitors with concealed weapons would have been denied a permit if they were Connecticut residents. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut and its more than 1,800 members strongly urge you to vote against H.R. 822 because it would conflict with Connecticut’s laws for issuing gun permits for the protection of its citizens and would set a dangerous precedent. Thank you for considering this request. Sincerely, Naomi Schiff Myers & Alison Rivard Co-Directors, Social Policy The following letter was sent to both Senators from Connecticut. The Honorable Joseph Lieberman 1 Constitution Plaza, 7th Floor Hartford, CT 06103 Fax: (866) 317-2242 October 21, 2011 Dear Senator Lieberman: The League of Women Voters of Connecticut requests that you oppose any legislation that incorporates The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 (H.R. 822). We vigorously oppose legislation that would allow non-residents who have not met Connecticut’s licensing requirements to carry concealed guns into our state. The League supports protection of the health and safety of citizens through regulation of ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. The League believes that careful regulation and licensing procedures are essential for public safety. Under H.R. 822, a state’s laws about who can be licensed and carry concealed weapons would not apply. The law would require the states to recognize each other’s carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses. HR 822 is unacceptable to the LWVCT, because it would conflict with and undermine current Connecticut permit and licensing gun laws. As you are aware, our state of Connecticut has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country, including a suitability standard. These laws have broad public support within the state. Connecticut is a “May-Issue” state, and its law enforcement agencies are not required by law to issue permits to carry handguns to those who are not considered to be suitable persons to possess or carry a handgun. Other states that are “Shall-Issue” or worse still “Unrestricted” have no such provisions, and their citizens would be permitted to carry concealed weapons into our state with no input from law enforcement agents anywhere. Therefore, the possibility exists that some visitors with concealed weapons would have been denied a permit if they were Connecticut residents. The League of Women Voters of Connecticut and its more than 1800 members strongly urge you to vote against The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act or any attempt to attach its provisions as an amendment to another bill. The National Right–to-Carry Reciprocity Act would conflict with Connecticut’s laws for issuing gun permits for the protection of its citizens and would set a dangerous precedent. Thank you for considering this request. Sincerely, Naomi Schiff Myers & Alison Rivard Co-Directors, Social Policy LWVCT Testimony on SB 1094 and SB 1210 03/23/2011
CGA Judiciary Committee: Public Hearing March 23, 2011 Comments Submitted by Susan McCalley, Gun Law Specialist, League of Women Voters of Connecticut Support For S.B. 1094 AA BANNING LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGAZINES Oppose S.B. 1210 AAC The Use of Deadly Force to Defend the Residents of a Home My name is Susan McCalley. I am the Gun Law Specialist for the League of Women Voters of Connecticut. On behalf of the League, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to comment upon the bills that are before the Committee today. The LWVCT supports S.B 1094 An Act Banning Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines (LCAMs). The League is in favor of measures to protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. We supportS.B. 1094 because it would outlaw the sale and possession of LCAMs in our state, provisions which should have been included in the assault weapons ban that was passed in CT in the 90s, when seven other states DID include this LCAM ban in their assault weapons ban laws. This is unfinished business that will make Connecticut citizens safer from gun violence, which is the goal of the LWVCT gun law position. The LCAM ban was also included in the federal assault weapons ban that was in effect between 1994 and 2004. The effectiveness of such an LCAM ban can be seen in its absence after the federal assault weapons ban was not renewed in 2004. In the following year, states such as Virginia saw a 24% increase in recovered firearms with LCAMs, endangering law enforcement and citizens alike. Detailed evidence for opposition to LCAMs is found in the testimony of Connecticut Against Gun Violence presented here today, which I will not enumerate in the interest of time and redundancy. (Instead, please see CAGV testimony by Ron Pinciaro, Executive Director). What is important to remember is that LCAMs increase the lethality of gun violence as we saw in the Manchester workplace shootings here in our state as well as the Tucson shootings in January this year and many others. Seventy percent of Americans polled just before the 2004 rejection of the renewal of the assault weapons ban favored continuing the ban on LCAMs. The League opposes S.B. 1210 An Act Concerning the Use of Deadly Physical Force to Defend the Residents of a Home. The League supports the active role of government in preventing violent behavior. S.B. 1210 would put into state statutes the theory of home defense, which endangers public safety by allowing a homeowner to be the sole judge of any perceived threat to his property. In Connecticut this stands in conflict with our existing law that allows law enforcement, under strict conditions, to remove firearms from individuals who threaten others with violence, whether they are in their homes or elsewhere. This law would endanger state citizens with gun violence, who would be at the whim of homeowners who perceive a threat where none may very well exist. This bill should not become law. Thank you again for the opportunity to comment. League of Women Voters of Connecticut · 1890 Dixwell Avenue-Ste 203 Hamden, CT 06514 · 203/288-7996 | Advocacy:
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