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Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed making the semiautomatic gun "enhancements' illegal after the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting that killed 58 people and injured hundreds of others one year ago at a country music concert, as reported here by Daily Voice.
A bump stock is a device that gives a gun the power to fire like an automatic weapon. Anyone caught with a bump stock in Connecticut, faces five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine on the Class D felony charge.
The law includes some exceptions, such as for certain military personnel. The new law bans the sale, purchase, possession and manufacturing of bump stocks. Public Act 18-29, also bans the sale, purchase, possession, and manufacturing of any "enhancements" that increase the rate of fire for semiautomatic weapons.
Nevada authorities said the shooter in Las Vegas had so-called bump stocks on several of his guns.
“States are leading on efforts to stop gun violence while leaders in Congress sit on their hands and do nothing but give into the demands of the NRA and their big money lobbyists who give them millions in cash,” Gov. Malloy said in a press statement. “It’s worth noting that we were able to pass this law in Connecticut on a bipartisan basis, and I thank lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for sending the bill to my desk for my signature."
Malloy added: "But the simple fact is that laws by individual states on this issue are not enough – President Trump and Congressional leaders promised action nearly a year ago following the tragedy in Las Vegas and they have done nothing, despite the urges of the overwhelming majority of Americans who see no need for anyone to own a device that can fire 90 bullets every 10 seconds. A patchwork of laws by individual states is not the solution – we need action on gun violence prevention on a nationwide, federal basis.”
Another new state law impacts helmets. It was dubbed Conor's law in honor of Ledyard's Conor Irwin. He was a 14-years-old when he died in 2016 after he was skateboarding and fell and suffered fatal head wounds. Today, if you are under 15, it is illegal not to wear a helmet while skateboarding, roller skating or inline skating.
A new law bans law enforcement and corrections officers from shackling pregnant women during childbirth and requires female inmates be provided with feminine hygiene products. The state also must create family-friendly visitation policies for women who are jailed.
There also are new state laws:
- Regulating how e-cigarettes are sold.
- Restricting pesticide misting systems around residential buildings.
- And a new "Save Our Lakes" commemorative license plate to help raise awareness about cleaning up Connecticut lakes and ponds.
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