House Republican Press Release

April 11, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Funding for Gun Trafficking Task Force moves a step closer to reality

A compromise to last year’s failed efforts to track missing weapons passed a key legislative hurdle today when a companion measure to fund a gun trafficking task force fashioned by Republicans was approved in bi-partisan fashion in the Judiciary Committee.

The committee approved funding of up to $500,000 for the gun trafficking task force. Republicans said that was a key factor in getting their support for the missing weapons bill and through the committee.

“This is a committee compromise that still must go through several other committees for review. I hope that we can find an amicable agreement that will help get and keep illegal firearms off the street. This is important to every responsible gun owner as well as other Connecticut citizens,” said state Rep. Richard Ferrari (R-Granby)

“Both sides are to be commended for working to formulate a compromise that will not only enforce laws currently on the books by funding the Gun Trafficking Task Force, but will help to keep ‘lost and stolen’ guns off our streets,” said state Rep. Ruth Fahrbach (R-Windsor). 

Republicans on the panel worked with Democrats to broker the successful compromise. One bill lessens the penalty for failing to report a lost or stolen weapon within 72 hours that it goes missing to an infraction. It also increases the penalty to a felony for a second offense. Last year, the bill failed in the Democratic-controlled House in the last days of the session.

The matter now goes to the Public Safety Committee, where the debate over gun control will resume. The weapon bill levies a $90 infraction fine for failing to report it for the first offense. Subsequent failures to account for lost or stolen weapons would be treated as felonies and handgun owners would be subject to losing their licenses.