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Video: Fairfield Rep. Brenda Kupchick Speaks On Sandy Hook Bill

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – All four members of Fairfield’s delegation in the Connecticut General Assembly — Reps. Brenda Kupchick, Tony Hwang and Kim Fawcett and Sen. John McKinney — voted in favor of the comprehensive bill recommended by the Task Force on Gun Violence and School Security Wednesday night and early Thursday.

Kupchick and McKinney, both Republicans, also took to the floor to share their views on the bill before their votes.

Kupchick said she met with gun owners who could accept some of the new restrictions on firearm purchases and ownership. But she said she felt the bill did not go far enough in helping families dealing with mental illnesses. Kupchick said early Thursday that she’s “not giving up on this mental health issue.”

“We’re doing something, but frankly, we’re not doing enough. There are mothers out there that are crying for us to help them,” Kupchick said. “And we need to do it. We need to be courageous, and we need to stand up, and we need to stand behind them, because they need us.”

McKinney, who also represents Newtown, Easton, Weston and parts of Westport, took the time to clear up misconceptions about what the law covers. He said he heard concerns from constituents that the bill would require annual registration of firearms, liability insurance for gun owners, confiscation of already purchased high-capacity magazines or taxes on ammunition, none of which is included in the bill.

“And though I know that there are people who disagree, I do not believe this violates either the rights afforded in the state Constitution or the federal Constitution,” he said.

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