The June Drummer ran an opinion piece by Michael Fitzgerald questioning my legislative agenda, specifically HB 5717. Fitzgerald cited the Sandy Hook tragedy that led to Connecticut’s restrictive gun laws, and the recent Granby budget that funds a School Resource Officer (SRO).
Of course, that a human being reached such a mental state that he murdered 20 innocent children and six staff members is unfathomable. Sadly, those who favor misguided firearms policy exploited this horrific tragedy for political purposes, and some continue to do so.
Had it passed, HB 5717 would have aligned Connecticut public policy with most other states. Only five of these are as restrictive as Connecticut, with a ten-round limit on all firearms. “Large capacity” is really a misnomer. Most modern handguns are designed for 15 to 21-round magazines, and 30-round magazines are standard on the most popular rifles. It is more accurate to describe 15 to 30-round magazines as standard, not large capacity. Should the unthinkable happen, every parent should expect that our SRO is carrying a firearm with “large” capacity magazines.
Although my bill did not make it out of committee, HB 7052 to raise the magazine limit to 15 rounds did. The vote tally was bipartisan, including support from two legislators who are also police officers.
Good policy should be based on facts, reason and principle, not on emotion. Studies show that gun control does not reduce crime. Schools are gun free zones and murder is illegal, yet school shootings happen. In this state, law-abiding gun owners face more restrictions, while criminals who use a gun during the commission of a crime often get off easy.
Police usually respond after a crime has been committed. Law-abiding private citizens have a right and responsibility to protect themselves. Not only are my views on gun control correct and constitutional, they align with the clear-thinking majority in the 62nd District. On these pillars I will continue to stand.
Editor’s Note: House Bill 5717 sponsored by Rep. Anderson proposed to eliminate capacity limits on firearm magazines, remove all requirements to register large capacity magazines, and require the state to destroy any records accumulated that document the location of large capacity magazines.