This week, members of the Public Safety Committee did not vote on and effectively killed SB 714, which sought to ban .50 caliber rifles, but approved SB 1133, the "State Police Omnibus Anti-gun Bill." The bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee with substitute language. Although many of its original provisions, including a ban on private sales and transfers, and a ban on youth hunting and registration, have been stripped out, the substitute bill contains one provision that could make it the most dangerous bill gun owners and sportsmen have ever faced!

SB 1133 would make it a felony for anyone who has been denied a pistol permit or Certificate of Eligibility (COE) (one of which is necessary in Connecticut to purchase a handgun), to possess ANY firearm. The bill would require that those individuals who are denied a permit or COE be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as a "person prohibited" from purchasing and possessing firearms.

Since "suitability" is a factor considered by the issuing authority in Connecticut, this means that a local police chief could arbitrarily deny an individual a pistol permit or COE without justification, causing the applicant to lose his or her gun rights forever!


Making SB 1133 even more dangerous is the fact that it now has the potential to be amended in the Judiciary Committee and used as a vehicle for the failed .50 caliber ban or any other anti-gun schemes the gun grabbers want to throw in.
Thus far, Governor Jodi Rell (R) has ignored your calls of opposition to SB 1133, and has shown no interest in protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen. Since the State Police is an agency of the Rell Administration, the Governor has the ability and obligation to stop the abuse of power that SB 1133 represents. Please call Governor Rell at (860) 566-4840 and your state lawmakers TODAY to voice your strong opposition to SB 1133.