CT General Assembly Home Page: http://www.cga.ct.gov/
2008 CCS Legislative Agenda: BELOW
Sportsmen Activism: Lobbying and how you can get involved.
Public Hearing Procedures/Testimony
How to Contact Your Legislators
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2006 Legislative Session:
2006 CCS Legislative Agenda: Updated/Final
2006 OTHER Proposed Bills NO gun bills pass!
2005 Legislative Session:
2005 CCS Legislative Agenda: Updated/Final
2005 OTHER Proposed Bills NO gun bills pass!
2004 Legislative Session:
2004 CCS Legislative Agenda: Updated/Final
2004 OTHER Proposed Bills NO gun bills pass!
2003 Legislative Session:
2003 CCS Legislative Agenda: Updated/Final
2003 Proposed Bills: Updated/Final
Legislative UPDATE Final: Normal Session
2002 Legislative Session:
2002 Legislative Agenda: Updated/Final
June 2002 Special Session (Budget/Sportsmen's Fee Increase)
Dog Bill Veto/Rep. Bernhard Breaks with FoA
Gun Registration: "Certain Firearms" - .50 Cal
2001 Legislative Session:
Anti-Hunting Substitute Bill KILLED
Amendments: "Ban the Leg Hold Trap" & Striped Bass "Slot limit"
DEP Position: Wildlife Management Overpopulated Species Amendment
Legislative Special Session 6/25 - 6/29
2000 Legislative Session:
Legislative Update 5/4 FINAL
Special Session 6/19: Guns In Public Buildings Killed
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| Firearms | Hunting | Fishing | Trapping | Our Opposition | Misc. Legislation |
CCS Legislative Agenda 2008
Legislative Start date February 6 - End May 7
Input from activists determines issue priorities. Ideas came from all sectors of the Sportsmen’s community. Several have been submitted before, generally failing because priorities shifted to defeating anti-sportsmen legislation. Items marked XX will be submitted to Legislators for sponsorship; those not so marked may not be submitted or have been rejected for consideration during this session, but may surface as amendments. Click the Title of the bill after the number for the language we have submitted.
RAISED means the Committee will hold a Public hearing on the bill.
Reading statutory language format: Language bracketed means REMOVE: Language Underlined/Capitalized is NEW.
JF means Joint Favorable (Report) - which means acceptance of the bill as written. Our CT committees, unlike Congress, are Joint Committees - including both Senators and Representatives. JFS is Substitute language which could include complete elimination of the original bill substituted with something else, addition or deletion of sections, or major/minor language changes.
We urge you to contact YOUR state legislators. Send us your comments and those from Legislators you contact. We need to know your concerns and ideas.
Remember, Nothing is ever Dead until the end of the session.
XX 1. Pistol Permit Reciprocity (DATA): Provide nonresidents the ability to carry a concealed firearm in this state if the nonresident holds a valid permit or license to carry a firearm issued in another state which meets the CT standards of age, investigation, and training. Other states are currently recognizing and honoring concealed firearm licenses issued by the State of Connecticut and they should enjoy the same rights and benefits when they travel to Connecticut if they meet our criteria. PROPOSAL
2. Establish a 5 year retroactive period relative to listed misdemeanor convictions as criteria for the issue/revocation of Pistol Permits. Currently an indefinite term is used, resulting in documented permit denials/revocations dating back 20+ years for minor incidents, many of which have been previously determined by issuing authorities as irrelevant. If one believes in "payment of debt to society" and rehabilitation, the law must change.
3. Repeal the long gun 14 day waiting period. With Instant Check fully implemented, there is no logical reason for any waiting period - firearms purchasers are either legal or illegal. Additionally, only a small segment of purchasers (those who are not police, members of the armed forces, Pistol Permit holders, and Hunting License holders) are subject to the waiting period. To eliminate the two-week waiting period for the sale or delivery of rifles and shotguns, to eliminate the requirement that the paper or wrapping of the package containing the firearm be securely fastened and to eliminate several exemptions from the provisions of section 29-37a of the general statutes.
4. Change the Permit to sell Pistols & Revolvers from a town to a state permit. This proposal has been addressed previously, to change CT law to correspond with federal law allowing sales at other limited locations, with no success. Certain Chiefs of Police see current law as a money-making proposition forcing legitimate/checked-out permit holders to purchase another permit (@$100) to sell in their town for gun shows/events.
5. Establish
specific application requirements for a Temporary State Permit (Sec 29-28a).
To insure state-wide uniformity of criteria and standards.
6. Preemption: Establish the authority of the Legislature by statute to inform/preclude municipalities from writing local firearms ordinances inconsistent with state law.
8. Eliminate the CT Bound Book Requirement. This item has always been a redundant dealer exercise. Changes made in ‘99 requiring an SP-67 be retained in the dealer’s file on firearms sold, makes it even more unnecessary.
9. Eliminate the Certificate of Eligibility. Failed system – less than 20 issued over an 8 year period. Criteria for issue are the same as a Permit to Carry without the ability to do so. Contrary to anti-gun intent – “to take guns off the streets” – the provision has increased the number of Permits to Carry. Revert to the previous system of purchase with no permit required allowing legal possession only in the home/place of business. Instant Check has replaced the previous 2-week waiting period.
10. Eliminate the ’93 Assault Weapons ban as unnecessary after passage of the 2001 bill (Federal criteria).
11. Change Firearms Auction law – new prioritization.
XX
1. Sunday Hunting. With the constantly increasing deer herd and deer/vehicle collisions, this issue is a serious wildlife management and public safety issue. CT is one of the few states still operating under this "blue law" provision (40+ States Allow); it is discriminatory to certain religious denominations; and the average "working person" gun hunter could hunt only 1 or 2 days (Saturday) during the State land "A" & "B" , Private Land, and Muzzleloader seasons. DEP has increased its estimate (conservative) of the deer herd from 53,955 (1996) to 76,344 (1999), clearly there has been a significant increase since '99. In Addition, during the '03 season, estimates of take are 1/3 less due to inclement weather on Saturdays. Will not pass unless Sportsmen provide supportive input (letters/phone/e-mail) demonstrating they want change! CCS will propose Sunday Hunting 1) Private Land, Written Permission; 2) All Implements; 3) All Species except waterfowl; 4) Season November thru January inclusive.2. Preemption: Establish the authority of the Legislature by statute to inform/preclude municipalities from writing local wildlife ordinances inconsistent with state law.
3. Handgun Deer hunting.
1. Redefine the authority of municipalities concerning public access lake/pond regulations, requiring public hearings to be held by the DEP in Hartford. To insure statewide rather than just local input and serve to standardize speed, motor horsepower and other restrictions.
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Miscellaneous |
XX 1. MANDATORY MINIMUM CONSERVATION OFFICER STAFFING: The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall appoint and maintain a minimum of seventy -five sworn conservation officer personnel.
XX 2. Recapture all motorboat fuel taxes from the Transportation Fund and change the application back to dedicated funds for Fishing and Boating ONLY.
3. Enhance Forestry Management on State lands to generate revenue, protect state woodlands and enhance wildlife management.
Legislative Toll Free Numbers.
1-800-842-8267 House Democrats
1-800-842-1423 House Republicans
1-800-842-1420 Democratic State Senators
1-800-842-1421 Republican State Senators
