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 | Advocacy:
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