In the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre, we have realized that not enough has been done to reduce gun violence. While this hot topic is being debated in Congress, a fresh initiative took place in Middletown, CT. In a press release at the Public Safety Building in Middletown, CT, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro announced her proposed bill “Support Assault Firearms Eliminations and Reduction for our Streets Act” known as SAFER Streets Act. This proposed bill will give a tax credit of $2,000 - $1,000 for each year – to anyone who turns in a legal assault weapon to local police authorities that are asked to administer this program. Illegal assault weapons are excluded from this tax-credit program.
<br/>
<br/>Joe Bango, a Connecticut small business owner who proposed the legislation to DeLauro, handed over his AR-15 to the State Police represented by Lt. J. Paul Vance, Department Spokesman/Media Relations Commander, Connecticut State Police. Col. Danny Stebbins, Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut State Police, was also present. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, who represents the Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives, had held a press conference to discuss her SAFER Streets Act and the need for stronger laws to prevent future gun violence.
<br/>
<br/>As a member of the House of Representatives Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention, DeLauro's track record on gun control has reflected her focus on providing law enforcement officials with effective tools to get dangerous assault weapons out of the hands of violent criminals to ensure greater public safety and improve our mental health system. The fact that the NRA gave an F rating to DeLauro in 2003 indicates her strong voting record on gun control that started as early as in 1999 when she voted against decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. This bill required anyone who buys a gun at a gun show to go through an instant background check within 24 hours. Although it may sound like a restriction, in reality it allows gun purchase on the spot. In 2003 DeLauro voted NO on prohibiting suing gun makers and seller for gun misuse and in 2005 voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers.
<br/>
<br/>In 2009 DeLauro voted YES to closing the Gun Show Loophole and restricting show sales. The “Gun Show Loophole" requires no background check for guns purchased at a private sale. DeLauro signed H.R. 2324 & S. 843 imposing stricter record keeping requirements and greater penalties for non-compliance on gun show operators.
<br/>
<br/>Research has shown that 91% of Americans say that there should be minor restrictions on gun ownership and 57% of Americans say that there should be major restrictions or a ban. Some 1,500 children are hurt by guns every year. 81% of Americans say that gun control will be a determining factor in voting for a Congressional candidate. An F rating from the NRA is a badge of honor that makes it easy for us to count on DeLauro to continue working on gun violence control. The SAFER bill that she has introduced is an innovative tool that will allow local authorities to expand their gun recovery program.
<br/>
