One Pro- and One Anti-Gun Bill Defeated in the Connecticut Joint Committee on Judiciary

The Connecticut Joint Committee on Judiciary took no action on two gun-related bills by the April 15 deadline.  Due to the committee’s lack of action, these bills were defeated for the 2011 legislative session.

Anti-gun bill, SB 1094, was a bill in search of a problem, despite the recent media attention given to “large capacity” magazines, no correlation exists between the size or arbitrary capacity of a detachable magazine and violent crime. Owners of “large capacity” magazines are not criminals or individuals intent on committing atrocious acts; they are sportsmen or firearm enthusiasts who own the magazines for a variety of lawful reasons, including sport, competition or self-defense. 

SB 1094 would prohibit the possession of firearm magazines that accept more than ten rounds of ammunition.  If passed and signed into law, any person in possession of any magazine greater than ten rounds, who has not already surrendered the magazine prior to enactment or within ninety days after enactment, will be guilty of a class D felony. 

Pro-gun and self-defense bill, SB 1210 would have created a presumption under Connecticut law that it is reasonable to believe that deadly physical force is necessary to defend oneself from a person who has unlawfully entered a dwelling.  

Thank you to all of those who attended the hearing and contacted members of the Judiciary Committee.