Domestic Violence Public Hearing this Monday, March 14‏

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First, thank you for the tremendous response in support of HB5408, the bill that would require persons carrying a handgun in public to show their permit if requested by a police officer.  More than 750 of you sent emails, 134 submitted testimony online, and 40 people showed up to testify at the hearing in support of this bill!  As a result of your advocacy the bill was favorably voted out of Committee. 

Right on its heels, on Monday, March 14, we have another extremely important public hearing of the Judiciary Committee on three critical Domestic Violence proposals.

Two of the bills, HB 5054, An Act Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence; and SB 429 An Act Concerning Service of Restraining Orders, have the same objective we fought so hard for last year – 1) having sworn police officers make service of temporary restraining orders; and 2) removing firearms from subjects of temporary restraining orders pending a hearing to take place no more than 14 days later.  Until the two are reconciled we are supporting both bills.

We  oppose the third bill, HB 5597, because it sets in motion the risk warrant process if a restraining order indicates that the subject is in possession of a firearm.  The risk warrant process, while effective and well intentioned, does not serve the needs of many domestic violence victims, because it immediately sends police to confront the abuser.  Police can then seek an immediate warrant to remove firearms from that person. Many victims of abuse fear violent reprisals from the abuser in this process and much prefer going to the court for the restraining order.

So here are three things you can do right now:

1. Click here to send the below message to each member of the Judiciary Committee. (You can send the message as is or you can make your own modification to it).

2. Submit online testimony to the committee by sending an email to JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov. You can use or adapt the same message below.

If you  have the time, please customize the message somewhat; it has more impact if not viewed as a form letter.

3. To have the maximum impact, please, please attend the Public Hearing at the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford on Monday March 14, 10:30 am in Room 2C. Whether you testify or show your support simply by being there—all day or for just a few hours, please let me know by replying to this email and indicating whether you want to testify or come for visibility. While testifying is hugely important, just your presence has an impact.

Here is the message to Committee members:

Dear Senator/Representative ___________;

I am writing to express my support for HB 5054, An Act Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence, and SB 429, An Act Concerning Service of Restraining Orders.

Also, I oppose HB 5597, because it sets in motion the risk warrant process if a restraining order indicates that the subject is in possession of a firearm.  Many victims of abuse fear violent reprisals from the abuser when  police are brought to the home who then may get an immediate warrant to remove the subject’s firearms. These victims much prefer the safer route of going to the court for a restraining order.

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Click here to send this message to each member of the Judiciary Committee.

Alternatively you can email the statement—or your own—to JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov.

It’s been a busy legislative session for firearm bills—we so very much appreciate you making your voice heard. It absolutely makes a difference.

Important Hearing Thursday on Requirement to Show Carry Permits

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On Thursday, the Public Safety and Security Committee of the CT Legislature will be holding a hearing in Hartford on a very important bill, HB 5408, that would clearly authorize police to require persons openly carrying handguns in public to produce their permit.  Right now, police can only ask to see permits if there is reasonable suspicion of a crime.

It is critically important that as many of you as possible come to the hearing in Hartford on Thursday, March 3rd, starting at 11:00 am in room 1C of the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford.

Recently, many of our supporters have witnessed persons openly carrying guns in stores while shopping. I’m sure many of you are aware of situations such as the Subway in Bridgeport or the WalMart in Hartford where persons openly carrying firearms refused to show their permits at the request of police. In both cases, the persons carrying made video recordings on their phones to document the encounter.

HB 5408 will clearly eliminate conflicting interpretations of the law.

If you cannot be there, you can submit written testimony by sending an email here PStestimony@cga.ct.gov.

Testimony will also be heard on two other firearm related bills at the hearing:

OPPOSE: H.B. No. 5409 AN ACT CONCERNING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEMPORARY STATE PERMIT TO CARRY A PISTOL OR A REVOLVER. To create uniform criteria for the issuance of a temporary state permit to carry a pistol or revolver.

 This proposed bill would remove the ability of police chiefs and issuing authorities to seek additional information or documents in order to determine the suitability of a person to be granted a permit to carry a handgun in public beyond what is requested on the basic application.

Support: S.B. No. 20 AN ACT CONCERNING CARRYING A FIREARM WHILE INTOXICATED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL. To lower the alcohol in blood ratio from .100 to .080

 This proposed bill will make the blood alcohol level standard for carrying a firearm while intoxicated the same as for driving while intoxicated (Eight hundredths of 1% blood alcohol level).