Congress

Law Banning Bump Stocks in Connecticut Goes Into Effect

The law, Public Act 18-29, also bans the sale, purchase, possession, and manufacturing of enhancements that increase the rate of fire for semiautomatic weapons.

A new Connecticut state law that bans the sale, purchase, possession and manufacturing of bump stocks went into effect today. 

The law, Public Act 18-29, also bans the sale, purchase, possession, and manufacturing of enhancements that increase the rate of fire for semiautomatic weapons. It went into effect a year to the day after tragedy shook Las Vegas when 58 people were killed and hundreds were injured in a shooting at a country music concert. 

Authorities said the shooter in Las Vegas had bump stocks, which allow guns to fire at a rapid rate, similar to an automatic weapon, on several guns.  

“States are leading on efforts to stop gun violence while leaders in Congress sit on their hands and do nothing but give into the demands of the NRA and their big money lobbyists who give them millions in cash,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a statement. “It’s worth noting that we were able to pass this law in Connecticut on a bipartisan basis, and I thank lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for sending the bill to my desk for my signature. But the simple fact is that laws by individual states on this issue are not enough – President Trump and Congressional leaders promised action nearly a year ago following the tragedy in Las Vegas and they have done nothing, despite the urges of the overwhelming majority of Americans who see no need for anyone to own a device that can fire 90 bullets every 10 seconds. A patchwork of laws by individual states is not the solution – we need action on gun violence prevention on a nationwide, federal basis.”

Under the Connecticut law, it will be a class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine, for anyone to sell, purchase, possess or manufacture a so-called bump stock. The law includes some exceptions, such as for certain military personnel.

“It is appropriate that today, on the one year anniversary of the Las Vegas shooting in which 58 people were senselessly and brutally gunned down, Public Act 18-29 goes into effect,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said in a statement. “Connecticut now bans the sale, purchase, possession, and manufacturing of bump stocks, an enhancement that has no place in a civilized society.” 

“As we remember the victims of this massacre, and the other victims of every day gun violence, we must come together and call on Congress to take similar action at the federal level so that all Americans can feel safe going to school, seeing a movie, or enjoying a concert,” Wyman said.

After the shooting in Las Vegas, the NRA released a statement, saying, "devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations."

"In an increasingly dangerous world, the NRA remains focused on our mission: strengthening Americans' Second Amendment freedom to defend themselves, their families and their communities.  To that end, on behalf of our five million members across the country, we urge Congress to pass National Right-to-Carry reciprocity, which will allow law-abiding Americans to defend themselves and their families from acts of violence," the statement says. 

A federal proposal to ban bump stocks was sent to the Office of Management and Budget for review, according to an NBC News report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us