Gabby Giffords visits CT to promote gun law changes

 Gabby Giffords visits state to promote gun law changes 

Hartford Courant

By Daniela Altimari

March 17, 2015

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona came to the Capitol Tuesday to press for a new gun control law designed to help victims of domestic abuse.

“We can change our laws, we can win elections,” said Giffords, who left Congress after she was shot in the head by a mentally disturbed gunman four years ago. “Please join your voice with mine.” She spoke for less than a minute but received a long standing ovation from an audience that included Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Democratic legislators and advocates for victims of domestic violence.

The legislation highlighted by Giffords would require those subject to a restraining order to relinquish their guns within 24 hours of being served with the order. They would also be prohibited from buying firearms.

House Speaker Brendan Sharkey said the measure is a “common-sense extension” of the sweeping gun control legislation that lawmakers passed in 2013 in response to the Sandy Hook school shootings.

Advocates praised the bill, predicting it will save lives. They point out that other states, including Texas and Massachusetts, have similar laws.

But critics, including Republican Rep. Arthur O’Neill, say the proposal is not needed. They said Connecticut already has a law that permits the seizure of guns from anyone deemed a danger to themselves or others, based on several criteria, including threats made in the past.

And gun-rights groups say the measure violates the constitutional right to due process. “Like them or not, guns are private property, and we are a state and a country that has constitutional protections for good reason,” Scott Wilson, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, said in a statement.

“Connecticut also has a long history that includes the manufacturing and lawful use of firearms that goes back to the founding of this country. Connecticut residents know what’s best for ourselves, not some paid spokesperson from out of state that is exploiting her personal tragedy for whatever the reason may be.”

Malloy flatly rejected the idea that the proposal would violate due process.

“It is no more an abuse than taking away the keys from a drunk who’s about to get into a car,” he said. “And nobody says that’s a violation of that person’s due process rights. It’s only when people revert to a playbook written for them by the NRA that we hear that kind of garbage.”