CT Signs Gun Crime Data Pact With Neighboring States

CONNECTICUT — The governors of four northeastern states, including Connecticut, have signed an agreement to share gun crime data.

Gov. Ned Lamont, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, Gov. Phil Murphy of New Jersey, and Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania announced Thursday they have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at preventing gun violence.

The exchange of crime data will only be among law enforcement agencies, according to the agreement.

"Despite our best gun safety laws, we have more damn guns on the street than we ever had before," Lamont said during the online announcement. "And if you're not taking guns seriously, you're not taking law and order seriously."

The five-year agreement calls for law enforcement agencies from the four states to share the "E-Trace" reports each receive from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with each other.

President Joe Biden likes the idea, according to a statement from his press secretary Jen Psaki.

"We applaud today’s announcement by the Governors of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut that the states’ law enforcement agencies will share crime gun data across state lines to bolster law enforcement operations and improve public safety. This data-sharing agreement recognizes the reality that firearms cross state lines, and we therefore need a multijurisdictional approach to tackling gun violence."

Psaki said the Biden Administration is encouraging other state and local officials to "follow these Governors’ lead and collaborate to reduce our shared challenge of gun violence."