Malloy: The time to act is now
Posted: Feb 21, 2013 7:33 AM EST
Updated: Feb 21, 2013 11:05 AM EST
By Steven Yablonski, Managing Editor - email
Gov. Dannel Malloy speaks during the State of the State address in Jan.
DANBURY, CT (WFSB) -
Gov. Dannel Malloy, together with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, released a gun violence prevention proposal that they said will make Connecticut a safer place to be.
"Two months ago, our state became the center of a national debate after a tragedy we never imagined could happen here," Malloy said in a statement. "The horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School brought home the fact that we are not immune to problems that face the nation at large, that we can never become complacent in our effort to ensure the safety of our residents."
The proposal outlines five primary areas where he said the state can strengthen gun control laws, including:
Making background checks universal and comprehensive
Banning large capacity magazines
Strengthening the assault weapons ban
Promoting safer gun storage
Improving enforcement of existing laws
"We have changed," Malloy said in a statement. "And I believe it is now time for our laws to do the same."
Malloy said he's been asking the same questions ordinary citizens have been asking themselves in the weeks and months since 20 children and six adults were shot and killed inside Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
"Why is the gun used at Sandy Hook not classified as an assault weapon under today's law? Why are background checks required when someone buys a gun in a store, but not when they buy it privately or at a gun show? Why is there no limit on the size of a magazine that can be used in a semiautomatic weapon? These are questions we can answer now," he said in a statement.
Malloy stressed that he has a great deal of respect for the Second Amendment and believes everyone has the fundamental right to bear arms in the United States.
But, he said, with that right comes with responsibility.
"This proposal endorses reasonable measures to improve public safety, while preserving citizens' constitutional rights. Shootings like this are becoming an all too common occurrence in our country. That must change," he said.