The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Malloy seeks ban on bump stocks for firearms
Governor’s move cites ‘federal inaction’
HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy wants to ban bump stocks and other devices that enabled the Las Vegas gunman to convert a semi-automatic assault rifle into a machine gun, killing 58 people during a concert last year.
“Bump stocks are cheap, they are deadly, and they have no place in our society,” Malloy said as he proposed a bill to ban the weapon enhancement devices.
“In Connecticut, we refuse to allow federal inaction to endanger the lives of our residents, despite the best efforts of powerful lobbyists from the NRA,” the governor said.”Our state has long been a champion in the fight against gun violence, and today we take a step towards further cementing our reputation as a leader in smart, safe, and commonsense gun reform.”
The bill would ban possession and sale of the devices, making it a felony to sell or possess bump stocks, binary trigger systems, trigger cranks and other “rate of fire enhancement” devices. Those with the devices after the law takes effect would be subject to a misdemeanor, Malloy said.
The proposed bill immediately drew opposition from pro-gun groups committed to stopping additional gun control.
“Connecticut already has a very punitive ban on the same types of firearms that were used in the Las Vegas mass murder, as well as a magazine capacity limitation to 10 rounds or less.” said Scott Wilson, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.
“This fact already renders devices such as bump stocks mostly ineffective,” Wilson said. “Lame duck Gov. Malloy is not surprisingly going back to the well of gun control yet again, perhaps to distract from his poor approval ratings.” Malloy, who is not seeking re-election this year, repeatedly mentioned the 20 children and six adults gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School five years ago as he promoted his bill. The Las Vegas mass shooting — where more than 500 people were shot — was also noted.
“Imagine what would have happened if the shooter at Sandy Hook had a bump stock,” Malloy noted.
Po Murray, chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance, said the Las Vegas shooter used a bump stock to turn his assault weapon into a machine gun.
“The Las Vegas gunman fired more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition in only 11 minutes, using semi-automatic rifles modified with bump fire stocks designed to dramatically accelerate the rate of gunfire and cause maximum damage,” Murray said.
Murray added “After the heartbreaking Sandy Hook mass shooting incident five years ago, Connecticut passed the second strongest gun laws in the nation under the leadership of Gov. Malloy and it is time for Connecticut to act now to lead the nation once again by banning bump stocks and other dangerous accessories to keep our families and communities safe.”
Wilson disagreed with the need for new legislation.
“It is key that the public be aware the legislation proposed today is simply feel good in nature,” he said.
“The devices in question that Malloy seeks to ban are not needed to replicate the rapid rate of fire,” Wilson explained. “This effect can be easily accomplished by the use of a belt loop, a rubber band, or even just by holding a firearm a certain way. Moreover, the devices themselves can be easily made in a typical basement shop using everyday materials.”
Sen Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the rapid fire devices should not be allowed.
“These carnage force multipliers must be banned in Connecticut and nationwide,” Blumenthal said. “Connecticut is once again poised to lead the nation in the face of Congressional failure — a chance to prove again to the nation that it is possible to pass commonsense, serious solutions to protect our communities from the scourge of gun violence”