• Home
  • Posts
  • Letter: Regarding candidates’ positions on gun violence prevention

Letter: Regarding candidates’ positions on gun violence prevention

To the Editor,

In June, the Supreme Court handed down a radical decision, NY State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc v. Bruen, that held that the government cannot restrict the right to own a gun unless the restriction is consistent with regulations dating back to the 18th and 19th century, more than 150 years ago. No longer can judges balance public safety against restricting Second Amendment rights when evaluating the constitutionality of a gun law.

As a result, gun laws across the country are under attack, including here in Connecticut. The CT Citizens Defense League, the state affiliate of the NRA represented by two state legislators, filed suit in federal court to overturn our assault weapons ban, the second such group to do so. Just last week, a federal judge ruled unconstitutional a federal law that prohibits possession of guns without serial numbers. Serial numbers are a key factor in solving crimes involving guns.

Connecticut is fortunate to have one of the lowest gun death rates in the nation, thanks to tough gun laws that are ranked third strongest by the Giffords Law Center. But with more challenges to our gun laws expected, the need to elect lawmakers who will protect Connecticut’s strong gun laws could not be more important. It is possible laws will need to be rewritten, and that requires having state legislators who we can count on to support strong gun laws.

Trevor Crow (S-36), Rachel Khanna (H-149), incumbent Steve Meskers (H-150) and Hector Arzeno (H-151), the Democrats running to represent Greenwich in the CT General Assembly, are those candidates. All four are endorsed by CT Against Gun Violence because they have taken strong, public stands on supporting regulations that keep guns out of the hands of those who can’t be trusted with lethal weapons.

It’s important for voters to know where candidates stand on measures that protect us from gun violence. It’s clear that the Democrats running to represent Greenwich will continue the tradition that makes Connecticut a leader in gun safety. Please make a plan to vote on November 8.

Jonathan Perloe
Cos Cob

Related Posts
Loading...