Gun Rights Group Files Suit Against Lamont, Police Chiefs

SOUTHBURY, CT — The Connecticut Citizens Defense League announced Monday that it is has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Ned Lamont and several municipal police chiefs claiming a violation of their members' right to keep and bear arms.

The CCDL says it is bringing the suit as a result of Lamont's March 17 executive order suspending the requirement of state and local law enforcement officials to fingerprint and process the applications of residents seeking to purchase firearms and ammunition.

The Southbury-based group claims that state and municipal officials are refusing to collect fingerprints for firearms permit purposes, and are refusing to process firearms applications. The executive order has "effectively shut down the issuance of all firearm permits in Connecticut," according to the CCDL.

In addition to Lamont, the suit names the state's emergency services commissoner, as well as the police chiefs in Ansonia, Farmington, Bristol, Vernon as defendants.

"While the CCDL understands these are times of unprecedented challenges, many Connecticut residents are being denied their constitutional rights just when they feel the exercise of those rights is most needed," said Holly Sullivan, president of the CCDL, in a statement released Monday. "We respect the governor's goal of mitigating the COVID-19 virus. However, stripping citizens of their rights does not further that laudable goal. It is in these extraordinary times that the governor must most staunchly defend the rights of Connecticut's people. If the governor won't, the CCDL will."

In a letter to Lamont dated April 10, Sullivan acknowledged that New York and California have also tamped down on the issuance of firearms permits since the outbreak of the new coronavirus. Those actions have also been challenged in the courts.