Rep. Fishbein: Protecting Your Gun Rights
On Monday, March 6th, the legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on a bill proposed by State Representative Craig Fishbein (R-90) to support Connecticut’s lawful citizens’ right to own, possess or carry a firearm for personal protection.
House Bill 6817 – aptly titled, An Act Concerning an Individual’s Right to Own, Possess or Carry a Firearm – will do several things to protect the rights of lawful Connecticut firearm owners in state law; including: mandating that each local police department display a poster listing the rights of a resident to apply for a pistol permit and the general procedural process related thereto, including the right to apply if the application is denied; mandating that a permit to carry a pistol or revolver be granted if a period of eight weeks passes and the permit has not been expressly denied; eliminating local and state fees for firearm permits; allowing a holder of a pistol permit to carry handguns in state parks and state forests for self-defense; empowering and requiring DESPP to pursue reciprocity agreements with other states to have them recognize ours, and vice versa; establishing a rebuttable presumption of the right of a person to use deadly force in their own home; permitting a state income tax deduction for residents that purchase a gun safe, and more.
“Correcting, clarifying and tightening up some of the more onerous parts of restrictive anti-gun legislation will provide greater public safety, and further clarify and enumerate the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Connecticut citizens to defend themselves,” Rep. Fishbein, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee said. “Commonsense gun safety proposals like eliminating fees to exercise a constitutional right, taking the statutory eight week waiting period seriously, permitting lawful persons to use their permitted right to the extent that they feel necessary, and providing out-of-state permit reciprocity encourage responsible ownership, and will serve as an additional deterrent to criminals considering targeting previously gun-free zones.”
The bill is currently scheduled for a Judiciary Committee Public Hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6th at the Legislative Office Building. Concerned citizens are encouraged to testify either in writing or in person.
To testify in writing: A form to submit written testimony online can be found on the Judiciary Committee webpage by going to www.cga.ct.gov, clicking on “public hearing agendas” and selecting “submit written testimony.” The form asks for basic information, including your full name, the bill number, public hearing date, etc. It is important to also include your address and a definitive statement of support or opposition to the bill you’re testifying about.
To testify in person: Most committees are hosting hybrid meetings, meaning you can testify in-person in Hartford or via Zoom from your computer. To register to testify in person, go to the Judiciary Committee page at www.cga.ct.gov, click on “public hearing agendas” and select the date of the hearing. Information regarding each specific public hearing and a “Register to Speak” link will be located there.