Lamont Proposes CT Gun Law Changes, 500 New Local Officers

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled a package of legislative proposals aimed at tackling gun violence in the state.

“You’re not tough on crime if you’re weak on guns,” he said during a Monday news conference. “We’re going to continue to stay tough on guns.”

He also urged towns and cities to hire more police officers.

"I'm calling on our mayors, I'm calling on the first selectmen, with the resources you've got, I want to see 500 more cops on the street by the end of this year."

Lamont wants to modify state law for open carry of firearms, ghost guns, and assault weapons, among other proposals. The legislative session begins Wednesday.

The governor also proposed $64 million in budget adjustments aimed at public safety. They include:

• $23 million to help clear a backlog of cases that accrued during the pandemic.
• $19 million to address repeat crime, including funding to tackle motor vehicle thefts.
• $18 million to help crime victims with counseling, crisis invention and access to legal services.
• $4 million to bolster the state’s criminal forensic capabilities.

Below are some of Lamont’s legislative proposals:

Ghost guns

Lamont is also proposing to require registration of “ghost guns” that were manufactured prior to the state’s 2019 ban. Ghost guns are sold as partially-assembled kits without serial numbers. Those made before the ban were grandfathered in.

The change would follow the registration process that was used for large-capacity gun magazines that were owned prior to the 2013 ban.

“Ghost guns are probably the biggest emerging threat right now,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said, adding that the rest of the country should look to Lamont’s proposal as an example.

Modify state open carry laws

Police in Connecticut currently cannot compel people who are openly carrying guns to show a permit unless they suspect the person is committing a crime.

Lamont wants to allow law enforcement officers to request gun permits for those who are openly carrying firearms. He also wants to ban carrying firearms in polling places, public buildings, public transit and at demonstrations such as protests and marches.

Close assault weapon ban loophole

Guns made before 1993 are exempt from the state’s assault weapon ban and can be sold or transferred into Connecticut. Lamont urged legislators to include pre-1993 assault weapons in its ban and to allow registration for people who already own such weapons.

State license for gun dealers

Another proposal would create a state license for gun dealers. The state currently doesn’t have licensing for gun dealers.

Strengthen safe storage of firearms law

Lamont suggested that the state require all firearms to be sold with a trigger lock, instead of just pistols and revolvers. Connecticut passed Ethan’s Law in 2019, which tightened rules on safe gun storage.