A similar bill failed last year despite support from Malloy and advocates for domestic violence victims.
Critics say there’s an existing law that’s well-established.
President and CEO of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) Karen Jarmoc says she’s optimistic the new legislation will pass this year because proponents have research to bolster their case.
“This is important. This isn’t about guns, this is about victim safety. We know that access to a firearm in a domestic violence relationship increases the chance of homicide by 5 times,” said Jarmoc.
An Associated Press review shows more than a dozen states have strengthened laws designed to keep firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers over the past two years.
Under current state law, a victim of domestic violence must apply for a temporary restraining order, then wait two weeks for a judge to grant a permanent restraining order against the alleged abuser before his or her guns are confiscated.
