After the state of Connecticut passed some of the strictest gun legislation in the country last week, local gun store owners are wondering what to do with their inventory that is now banned.
As soon as the new laws were approved, the sale of certain guns and ammunition became immediately illegal. In an effort to prevent future mass shootings, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed the “Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention And Children’s Safety” into law last Thursday around noon.
The bill bans large capacity magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition and guns that use them.
“That would rule out half the guns I have here, which would put me out of business,” said Arnie Willhite, owner of Connecticut Sporting Arms in North Branford.
The semiautomatic rifles sold at his store with certain military attachments that accept large capacity magazines are now illegal, he said.
Many of the new laws come as a result of suggestions from the Sandy Hook Advisory commission. The commission is working to find possible ways to prevent more mass shootings. Chairman of the commission, Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, said mandatory background checks and the ban on these weapons is just the first step to making the state safer.
“I get 100 emails talking about my work on gun panel. It’s not the gun panel,” Jackson said. “Guns happen to be an issue people care deeply about.”
The commission is also looking at technology upgrades to make schools safer and mental health issues. The commission’s next meeting is April 12.
