Panel Of Conn. Elected Officials Releases 13-Point Plan On Reducing Gun Violence
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - A coalition of Connecticut mayors and first selectmen has unveiled a series of proposals to crack down on gun violence, becoming the latest group to lay out recommendations following the Newtown massacre.
Most members of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities voted in favor of strengthening the state's gun laws.
The group's executive director and CEO said the commitment on both sides of the aisle to implement gun control reforms is telling of just how important the issue is to legislators.
"I've never seen such bipartisan commitment on an issue as I've seen in the wake of the Newtown tragedy. The need and the desire of legislators on both sides of the aisle to tighten up gun regulation in Connecticut and do everything within their power to prevent a tragedy like Newtown from ever occurring again in Connecticut," Jim Finley told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.
Panel Of Conn. Elected Officials Releases 13-Point Plan On Reducing Gun Violence
Finley said that while Connecticut is considered the fourth most stringent state in regard to firearms, it's heartening in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting rampage to see a dedicated effort to make the laws even stronger.
"Also the fact that our mayors have been begging for such reform over the last decade because in our bigger cities, the homicide rate is increasing," Finley told Schneidau.
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities announced 13 legislative proposals for state lawmakers to consider.
WEB EXTRA: See CCM's Legislative Proposals
Among the initiatives being pushed by the panel are bans on body armor sales, background checks on ammunition purchases and background checks when firearm permits are renewed.
In addition, the CCM proposes limiting gun magazines to hold no more than 10 bullets.
On Tuesday, Connecticut lawmakers established a bipartisan task force to look into possible legislation to prevent future gun violence, provide mental health care and improve school safety.
Legislators are already considering closing loopholes in the state's assault weapons ban.
The Bushmaster .223 semiautomatic rifle used by Newtown gunman Adam Lanza to kill 20 first graders and six educators was legal under Connecticut law and was legally purchased by his mother, who was also killed on Dec. 14.
Gov. Dannel Malloy also created a commission on gun violence, school safety and mental health issues.
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