Ceci Maher (opinion): CT can ban the bulk purchase of firearms

Even before I decided to run for state Senate, identifying solutions to the preventable issue of gun violence has been a priority for me. Since the tragedy in Sandy Hook in 2012, I have joined rallies, written to my legislators, and supported gun violence prevention organizations.  When the opportunity to contribute to that work became available as an interim executive director of Sandy Hook Promise, I immediately said yes.  At Sandy Hook Promise I listened to and worked alongside passionate advocates and survivors to help raise awareness and expand programs to create safer schools and prevent gun violence. Through this experience it became clear to me that gun violence is solvable if we have the will to deal with this issue. Recently, Gov. Ned Lamont announced gun violence prevention measures which I strongly support, and keeps Connecticut developing solutions to this national problem.

The positive news is that Connecticut has already made great strides. According to Everytown, Connecticut ranked 43rd in the nation in rate of gun violence. What’s more, from 2011-2020, gun violence deaths increased 3 percent in our state compared to a 33 percent increase nationwide. Following the horrific mass shooting at Sandy Hook, Connecticut lawmakers passed common-sense laws to protect residents from gun violence. Still, this problem persists and continues to grow nationwide. With a Supreme Court that has displayed an inability to do what is in the best interest of public safety, it is important to strengthen policy to keep students and residents safe from gun violence. 

Entering the legislative session, I was pleased to learn one of my priorities is also a priority of our governor: banning the bulk purchase of firearms. Our state laws currently do not contain a cap for how many firearms can be purchased at one time, it is possible for bulk firearm purchases to be made every time one purchases a gun. These bulk purchases often have troublesome results. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence “handguns sold in multiple sales were up to 64 percent more likely to be used in a crime than handguns sold individually,” and “data indicates that approximately 20–25% of all handguns recovered at crime scenes were originally purchased as part of a multiple sale.”

Specifying a time with which a person can buy a handgun and limiting how many they can purchase will significantly reduce violent crime, as well as firearms trafficking. According to the Giffords study, Virginia passed a one-gun-a-month law and “there was a significant reduction in the number of crime guns recovered outside the state and traced back to Virginia dealers.” Joining Virginia with similar enacted legislation are California, Maryland and New Jersey. California prohibits buying more than one handgun in a month. Maryland and New Jersey law both specify the time as 30 days before one can purchase another handgun.

Gov. Lamont’s proposals also include covering prevention measures for domestic and community violence, suicide, and mass shootings. From banning the carrying of a loaded gun in a vehicle, to requiring safe storage regardless of who lives in a residence, to raising the age to buy any gun to 21, to increasing education requirements for gun licenses, to requiring a 10-day waiting period before purchasing a gun, each of these measures addresses a current need for stronger policy and is a promise to save lives. In addition, the 10-day waiting period will be beneficial in addressing suicide, which claims far too many lives in Connecticut and nationwide. According to America’s Health Rankings, more than half of all suicides involved firearms, and according to gun data from the Centers for Disease Control in 2020, 54 percent of gun deaths in our nation were from suicide.  

As our country deals with another tragic shooting, this most recent one at Michigan State University, Connecticut fortunately is on the right track due to our elected officials doing what is necessary to keep residents safe. It is fitting the governor’s proposals were rolled out leading into the first week of February, as it was Gun Violence Survivors’ Awareness Week. One of the most empowering ways to honor survivors, victims, and their families, is to ensure no one else suffers the same pain. We must take the proper steps to pass this important legislation.  In Connecticut we possess the will and the expertise to get it done.

 State Sen. Ceci Maher’s 26th district includes Westport, Wilton, Weston, Redding and parts of Stamford, Ridgefield, New Canaan and Darien.