With the New Year, Connecticut gun owners hurried to register firearms

March 27, 2014

In December of 2012, 20 first-graders and six teachers at an elementary school in Connecticut were killed by a gunman that ran through the school with a semiautomatic rifle. In response to this tragedy, a series of new gun control laws were enacted in the state over the course of this past year.

For example, effective immediately after this new legislation was passed, the sale of AR-15's was completely prohibited in the state and the state's list of banned assault weapons increased from 66 different types to more than 100, says the NH Register. However, legal owners of the guns on this list are allowed to keep them in their homes and businesses and use them at the shooting range as long as they don't transport them with magazines holding more than 10 rounds.

What should Connecticut residents know about these new laws?

Just like this law, new laws in the state were introduced throughout this past year in July, October and January 1, 2014. As of the New Year:
- Any individual that has served a sentence for any of more than 40 weapons offenses is required to register with the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection.
- Anyone that legally possessed a magazine with more than 10 rounds before April 3, 2013 must have them registered with the state by January 1.
- Those who legally owned a now-banned assault weapon before April 3, 2013 needed to apply for a certificate of possession before the New Year.

Because of the multiple new gun requirements in Connecticut, an increase in staff at the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection is needed and the governor of the state realizes this and is committed to funding it, says the NH Register.

The rush to register

Due to the several new laws that went into effect at the start of the New Year, many Connecticut gun-owners rushed to have their firearms and ammunition that would be considered illegal registered before the New Year hit. According to the Huffington Post, people started lining up at the headquarters for the Department of Emergency Service and Public Protection in the early hours of the morning to fill out the necessary forms so that they could legally possess these items.

However, the president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League stated in response to these new laws that many residents of the state aren't even aware of these new laws or when they will be implemented. If you are being charged for illegal possession or sale of firearms, consult with an attorney that can assist you throughout the legal process.

Article provided by Kevin Smith, Attorney at Law
Visit us at www.kevinsmithlaw.com