The "Gun Trafficker Protection Act" is back and is expected to be referred to the Public Safety Committee. Senate Bill 903, introduced by State Senators Martin Looney (D-11) and Toni Harp (D-10), has already cleared the Judiciary Committee.
SB 903 would make criminals out of burglary victims by making it a crime to fail to report a gun theft to police within 72 hours of when the owner "discovered or should have discovered" the theft. SB 903 also includes language that would subject gun owners to criminal investigation and jeopardy of prosecution even if they report the theft within the required time period! Under the bill, a court would be given the ability to decide whether the firearm was stored in such a manner that provided a "substantial and unjustifiable risk" that it would be stolen.
Not only does this bill put gun owners at risk, but it actually offers protection to gun traffickers! The proponents of this legislation claim their intent is to stop "straw purchasers" (buying for individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms), from falsely claiming that the illegally transferred firearm(s) were stolen from them. Are we to believe that a person who has made the choice to commit a Federal felony by purchasing a firearm for a prohibited person would not be above making a false report to the police, whether it's prior to the police tracking them down or after?
Make no mistake -- there is no public safety rationale behind this proposal. It simply does not work. Call your Connecticut state lawmakers TODAY at (860)-240-0100 and strongly urge them to OPPOSE SB 903!
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