Yesterday, Governor Ned Lamont spoke to a room packed with lawmakers, survivors of gun violence and gun safety advocates for an advocacy day held by the Connecticut chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. They discussed legislation that would prohibit undetectable, untraceable firearms and strengthen Connecticut’s gun storage laws.
If these bills are advanced to the governor’s desk, he made his intentions clear:
“I will sign them the first day.” Additionally, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle attended the advocacy day to show support for these policies, like Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) who remarked, “people on both sides of the issue can come together for a common cause.”
Tara Gottleib, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action whose parents were shot and killed during a robbery in 2005, urged lawmakers to strengthen Connecticut’s gun laws. The shooter responsible for her parents’ deaths was prohibited from owning firearms, but was able to gain access to an unsecured gun before the shooting.
Tara was joined by Gamel Dawkins, whose 12-year-old brother was shot and killed in December in Bridgeport. Together, these survivors of gun violence called for lawmakers to advance this important gun safety legislation and support local organizations like Project Longevity, a data-informed gun violence prevention program based in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.
With the support of Connecticut voters from across the state and the governor’s vow to sign the common-sense bills into law, it’s on lawmakers to get this legislation to the governor’s desk.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed legislation or would like to speak with any volunteers with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, please don’t hesitate to reach out.