Malloy's Budget Takes Aim at Gun Owners, Cigarette Smokers

By Staff Report

HARTFORD, CT – Gun owners and cigarette smokers are targets under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposed $41.51 billion two-year budget plan unveiled on Wednesday.

In an effort to help make-up part of the $1.5 billion deficit Connecticut is currently facing, Malloy is proposing to increase the tax on a single pack of cigarettes from its current price of $3.90 to $4.35 – a 45 cent a pack hike.

That 45 cent hike would also be tacked on cigars and snuff. If the tax hike is approved by the General Assembly, it would bring in additional $59.8 million in next year, according to the governor’s budget proposal.

Meanwhile, gun owners would also be hit hard by Malloy’s budget.

Malloy is proposing to increase the state portion of the pistol permit fee from $70 to $300. He also is proposing the cost of the initial 5-year pistol permit fee from $140 to $370.

The increase in fees for gun owners will bring in another $9 million to the state annually, according to the governor’s budget estimates.

Additionally, Malloy is proposing to increase background check fees from its current $50 to $75. That increase, the governor budget estimates, would bring in another $2.6 million annually to the state’s coffers