Gun Group Sues To Challenge CT's Post-Sandy Hook Gun Control Law

CONNECTICUT — A lawsuit brought by the out-of-state National Association for Gun Rights aims to challenge Connecticut’s post-Sandy Hook assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban.

The lawsuit comes after the U.S. Supreme Court New York State Rifle & Pistol v. Bruen decision. The decision overturned New York State’s strict handgun permit law, which required those who wanted a concealed carry permit to show a need.

The case didn’t directly impact Connecticut’s gun laws, but gun safety advocates worried the decision would invite further legal challenges.

Related: How CT Changed Its Gun Laws After Sandy Hook Shooting

Lawyers for the plaintiff argue that Connecticut’s ban on AR-15 style rifles, magazines holding more than 10 rounds and similar restrictions are unconstitutional. It cites the Bruen decision as part of the argument.

State Attorney General William Tong said that Connecticut’s ban is lawful and has withstood previous legal challenges. He promised to defend the ban against any lawsuit.

“Connecticut cannot and will not allow these weapons of war back into our communities,” Tong said in a statement. “Not after Sandy Hook, after Uvalde, after Buffalo, Parkland, Orlando, and far too many more senseless tragedies. We need strong, commonsense gun safety laws now more than ever.”

The lawsuit has already been reworked after it listed an 84-year-old plaintiff as someone who owned banned semi-automatic firearms, but in reality she owns no weapons, according to the CT Mirror. Granby resident Toni Theresa Spera Flanigan has become the main plaintiff.

Gov. Ned Lamont said that Connecticut’s gun safety laws work, including banning AR-15 style rifles that have been used in many mass shootings, including Sandy Hook, Uvalde, Texas and Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

“It has withstood previous legal challenges, despite the persistent efforts of opponents of gun safety to undermine it,” Lamont said in a statement. “We will not allow these commonsense laws that are preventing violent crime to be eliminated.”