HARTFORD – Throughout the debate on gun legislation in Connecticut State Rep. Rob Sampson (R-80) and State Senator Joe Markley (R-16) emerged as staunch defenders of gun owners rights. They both voted against the bill (PA 13-3) and in the few months after the bill’s passing have raised questions and concerns regarding the ambiguous wording of the gun legislation.
To make clear parts of the new law and to gather facts and deadlines for their constituents Senator Markley and Rep. Sampson requested clarification in writing from Reuben Bradford Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
“A concern I shared with Senator Markley was that this new legislation could cause some legal gun owners to find themselves accidentally out of compliance with the new laws,” Rep. Sampson said. “Clarification on what responsible gun owners need to do to properly observe these laws was needed, and we received some of that assistance from Commissioner Bradford’s response.”
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"Rep. Sampson and I were concerned that if a person did not want to provide their Social Security number, they shouldn't have to,” said Sen. Markley. “It is a violation of privacy, not to mention Federal law, and we did not see why this information was asked for in the first place."
In his response letter to the legislators, Commissioner Bradford provided some clarification including:
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- Social security numbers that are requested on some forms are all optional and not required. The forms themselves are in the process of being changed to reflect this.
- The form to declare large capacity magazines will have its reference to applicant changed. This will occur to show there is no need to apply for permission, but only declare possession of large capacity magazines. Declarations must occur by January 1, 2014.
- Certificates of possession for assault weapons require that the full name, address, date of birth and thumbprint of the owner is presented as well as any other information deemed appropriate by the department.
Through the work of Rep. Sampson and Senator Markley, the objections held by legal gun owners were aired with DESPP, which has created a frequently asked question section on their website. http://www.ct.gov/despp/lib/despp/slfu/faqs_06192013.pdf
Both Sen. Markley and Rep. Sampson are committed to holding all agencies involved in this new gun legislation accountable. They thanked the Commissioner for his commitment in helping law abiding residents of Connecticut understand the provisions of the new law.
