Senator Kissel: Senate Bill 1094 to Ban 10+ Round Magazines Not Taken Up By Key Legislative Committee Public’s “Voices Have Been Heard in Hartford”

State Senator John A. Kissel today announced that a bill which would make it illegal to own ammunition magazines capable of holding 10 rounds or more in Connecticut was not taken up by the Judiciary Committee prior to its 5:00 PM April 15 deadline. Senator Kissel is the ranking Republican on the panel and has opposed the ammunition ban.

The bill, Senate Bill 1094, brought hundreds of gun owners to the Capitol last month for a marathon public hearing.

“When over 200 people from all across the state come to the State Capitol to speak on behalf of an issue, legislators on both sides of the political aisle take notice,” Senator Kissel said. “The public hearing on this bill lasted more than 12 hours. People patiently waited to speak their minds about this proposal. Many took the day off from work to tell us how they feel. Their passion helped to prevent this bill from becoming law in our state. They sent a clear message.”

The bill would have banned the future sale of magazines capable of holding 10 rounds or more. It would have required anyone in possession of one or more to turn them over to local or state police within 90 days of the law’s taking effect. Failure to do so could have resulted in being charged with a felony.

Many of the gun owners who testified against the bill said such a provision would constitute an illegal taking of their property and would likely be ruled unconstitutional by the courts. They noted that the proposal would hurt law-abiding gun owners while doing nothing to deter crime.

“Everyone who testified against this bill and everyone who called or emailed their state legislators should be commended,” Senator Kissel said. “You made your elected officials listen to you. Your voices have been heard in Hartford.”

Senator Kissel can be reached at [email protected] or (800) 842-1421. For more information, visit www.senatorkissel.com .

Senator Kissel represents 7th Senate District towns including East Granby, Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and portions of Granby and Windsor.