5th Annual Mothers United Against Violence March, Memorial and Rally - March 30, 2013
Photo Credit: Peter Olson
Today, Connecticut's General Assembly is expected to pass historic legislation that will save lives in Connecticut, particularly in our cities where gun violence is so pervasive.
Connecticut will now lead by example, as this bill contains the strongest measures in the Nation. Our legislature put politics aside and got it done. This bipartisan effort also included input from responsible gun owners. While this bill is not perfect, the common sense measures contained in it will result in a reduction of gun violence in Connecticut. But, significant work needs to be done, and the focus will now shift to other states, and, most importantly to Washington, D.C.
Just 4 days ago, I rode and marched to the Capitol building in Hartford and joined Reverend Henry Brown and Reverend Sam Saylor in calling for meaningful change.
This video speaks for itself. Instead of watching re-runs of Gilligan's Island or listening to a talking head rant, please take the time and watch and listen. If you only have 5 minutes, start at approximately minute 20 for Reverend Saylor's emotional talk about his son, slain a couple months before Newtown.
5th Annual Mothers United March, Memorial and Rally
In Connecticut, change is coming. The bill expected to pass today includes:
*Statewide dangerous weapon offender registry - the first in the nation - requiring individuals convicted of any more than 40 enumerated weapons offenses or another felony, which the court finds involves the use or threatened use of weapons, to register. Law enforcement will now have this critical knowledge.
*Universal Background Checks
*Expansion of the Assault Weapons Ban - one feature test
*Ban on Magazines holding more than 10 rounds
*Existing HCMs must be registered and can only be used in the home or at a shooting range
*State issued Eligibility Certificates for the purchase of long guns - requires fingerprinting and passing a national background check
*State issued Ammunition Eligibility Certificate - also requires passing a national background check. Without this certificate or a gun permit and a state issued photo ID, an individual cannot buy ammunition in Connecticut.
In a perfect world, the bill would not have allowed magazines to be grandfathered in. More than a week ago, I and other leaders of the Newtown Action Alliance and clergy hand-delivered letters to legislators, met with them, and held a press conference urging the General Assembly to eliminate that aspect of the bill. As a compromise, the GA imposed the other restrictions on magazines and ammunition purchases. These measures are the most restrictive in the Nation, and over time will reduce the supply, and should help keep these dangerous weapons off our streets. This is the beginning of our movement, and we will not rest until the scourge of gun violence no longer plagues our cities and towns. Newtown, Hartford, Baltimore and small towns and big cities across our great Nation stand together, as gun violence is immune to race, socioeconomic status or religion. We will ride on.
Three weeks ago, Team 26 stood with Baltimore's Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake. Photos and video of our meeting with her are available at www.facebook.com/sandyhookrideonwashington. Change too is coming to Baltimore, as Governor O'Malley (like Governor Malloy in Connecticut) has been championing significant common sense measures which the Maryland legislature is well on its way to passing to reduce gun violence.
Hopefully, other states will follow suit.
And, now we turn to our Nation's Capitol. While Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Colorado and other states are doing their part, without a federal partner, these new laws are limited. It is time for Congress to put politics aside and get it done.
For more information, please like these Facebook pages:
www.facebook.com/sandyhookrideonwashington
www.facebook.com/NewtownActionAlliance
or on Twitter:
@montefrank1, @SHROW_2013, @newtownaction, @MDAGV
5th Annual Mothers United Against Violence March, Memorial and Rally - March 30, 2013 Photo Credit: Peter Olson