Governor Candidate Bob Stefanowski Supports CT Strict Gun Laws

CONNECTICUT — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski came out in support of the Connecticut’s strict gun laws after the Robb Elementary School shooting in Texas.

“As governor, I will lead by example and enforce Connecticut’s gun laws that are the strongest in the country,” he said in a statement. “I will ensure that we live up to the commitment made in the wake of Sandy Hook to expand access to mental health services and crack down on gun violence in every single one of our communities.”

He also said Congress should come together and work on a solution.

“I will also use my platform as governor to urge federal action in Congress on comprehensive solutions that protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners, while strengthening federal laws that prevent those who pose a risk to themselves and others from getting their hands on a gun,” he said.

Stefanowski also said he would reverse portions of the state’s police accountability law.

“I will reverse the portion of the Police Accountability Bill passed last year that made it harder for good police officers to do their job,” he said in a statement, but didn’t specify which parts he wanted to change.

He also promised increased funding to police to help fill vacancies in departments.

Stefanowski received an "Aq" rating, the highest rating possible for a candidate who hasn't held office, from the National Rifle Association when he ran for governor in 2018, according to the Hartford Courant.

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said Congress could learn from Connecticut’s bipartisan process.

“The essence of our process—that members of our legislature talk to one another—is something I think members of Congress can learn from as they examine the totality of the truly evil acts committed in Texas,” he said in a statement.

He pointed to bipartisan action on gun storage regulation, safety in schools, mental health and using retired police officers to serve as security guards in school districts.

Candelora voted against Connecticut’s 2013 gun control bill. He said in a statement after the bill passed that he was in favor of many portions of the bill, but more focus should have been placed on mental health.