Greenwich's State Delegation Votes for Gun Bill

Two of Greenwich's state representatives and its state senator all voted in support of what is now the most restrictive gun law in the United States.

Representatives Livvy Floren (R-149) and Steve Walko (R-150) cast affirmative votes in their respective houses early Thursday. In the Senate, Scott Frantz (R-36) who represents Greenwich, as well as parts of Stamford and New Canaan, also voted in support of the bill which expands the state’s existing assault weapons ban and criminal background checks for all gun purchases. It also requires the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to administer a Mental Health First Aid Training program, and requires school security plans be developed.

State Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151) of Old Greenwich is recovering from throat  surgery and missed the vote.

The bill comes as the state's response to the Dec. 14, 2012 Sandy Hook School shooting in which 20 students and six teachers and school administrators were ambushed by a lone gunman. The bill was devised by a bipartisan committee appointed by Gov. Dannel Malloy who is expected to sign it into law at noon Thursday.

"After listening closely to all sides of the debate and analyzing the available data, I reached what I believe is a common sense conclusion.  As a mother, grandmother, and former teacher I voted for what I felt was reasonable and right,” Floren said in a statement.

Floren, whose district also includes parts of Stamford, added, "Although this law is not perfect, it is a good start. I don’t think that we should let perfect be the enemy of the good.”

In a statement, Walko said, "Since December 14th, our primary focus has been to protect our rights under the Second Amendment while at the same time improving the safety of Connecticut residents. This bill succeeds in that regard.”

Walko also said, “Improving how we view and treat mental illness is a critical component of this legislation.”  He added, "As a parent of two elementary school aged children, I know that we must take the time to engage our children and defend against violent content media. This legislation recognizes that gun control is just one piece of the solution in preventing other mass shootings.”

The bill includes the following measures:

• Prohibits persons convicted of violent crimes from eligibility in the Early Release Program

• Allows school districts to train teachers in mental health first aid

• Provides new training and support for pediatricians helping children with mental illness

• Reauthorizes a grant program to reimburse school security infrastructure upgrades

• Requires school security and safety plans be developed

• Establishes committees to investigate disturbing/threatening behavior in schools

• Extends mental health involuntary commitment look back period for firearm permits from 12 months to 60 months

• Bans the sale of armor piercing ammunition greater than .22 caliber

• Requires universal background checks for the sale of all firearms

• Requires a firearms permit or eligibility certificate for the purchase of long guns

The bill does not contain any provision requiring the confiscation of firearms or magazines already owned. Individuals who already own large capacity magazines or newly banned firearms will be grandfathered. But they will have to register these firearms and large capacity magazines with Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection by Jan. 1, 2014.