Month: April 2014

 

WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Governor Dannel P. Malloy signing into law Connecticut’s new gun violence prevention legislation:

 

“One year ago today, Republicans and Democrats in the Connecticut legislature came together to make our state safer for children and families. The gun violence prevention legislation signed into law last year has helped keep military-style guns off our streets, ensure that high-capacity magazines are accounted for, and prevent criminals, the mentally ill, and children from getting their hands on a gun.

 

“Unfortunately, the U.S. Congress has so far failed to follow Connecticut’s lead – but I remain as committed as ever to passing federal legislation to reduce gun violence. In the weeks and months ahead, I will continue urging my colleagues to put aside politics and special interests to pass commonsense gun violence prevention measures. The victims of Sandy Hook – and all those who fell victim to gun violence before and since then – deserve no less.”

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy, together with legislative leaders and a wide array of gun violence prevention organizations, today commemorated the passage of SB1160, the historic legislation passed last year to curb the risk of gun violence.

 

“In the wake of one of the worst tragedies to befall our state, we took clear and decisive action to make all residents in every one of our cities and towns safer,” said Governor Malloy.  “The common sense limitations we put in place will make sure that guns are less likely to fall into the hands of someone who shouldn’t have one.  The investments in school security and the additional steps we are taking to address the challenges in accessing mental services are really the first steps toward longterm improvements in public safety.  I want to thank my colleagues in the legislature and the thousands of people who came out to support the measures we put in place.”

 

“The fact remains that, while our laws are strong, as long as Congress fails to act, our residents are not as safe as they could be,” continued the Governor.  “Congress needs to act on common sense gun reform, and they need to do it today.”

 

Among the many provisions in the bill, the law bans the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity magazines, requires a clean record, safety training and a permit to buy rifles, shotguns and ammunition, whether it is from a gun store or private sale.  The state now requires background checks and training for the purchase of all categories of guns.  Additionally, convicted felons caught with ammunition now face the same penalty as they would if they got caught with a firearm.  The bill also increased funding for mental health treatment and school security

 

Governor Malloy also released statistics that have been compiled as different components of the statute were implemented.

 

To date, 50,242 assault certifications have been received and 38,209 gun owners filed declarations listing the number and type of large capacity magazines they owned.  Some declarations contained hundreds of individual magazines.  The state has also issued 2,592 ammunition certificates and received 61 eligibility certificates for long guns.

 

In addition, 1,747 pistol permits were revoked for reasons including drunk driving, mental health commitments, restraining and protective orders in domestic violence cases, and 210 people tried to buy rifles and shotguns and were denied when background checks turned up felony convictions, undocumented alien status and domestic violence charges.

 

“One year ago, in the wake of the devastating tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, Democrats and Republicans in Connecticut worked together to pass the most effective and comprehensive legislation in the nation concerning gun violence prevention, school security, and mental health,” said Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn).  “Our successful bipartisan effort stands in stark contrast to Congress and those states that are mired in gridlock and partisanship on issues that affect the safety of our children.”

 

“In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, Connecticut tackled issues of gun violence reduction, school security and access to our mental health care system,” said Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven).  “Where Washington and other states have failed, Connecticut led the way with a bipartisan approach that culminated in the strongest, most comprehensive reforms in the nation.”

 

“We proved to the country last year in an historic vote that effective, common sense gun safety laws can be passed in a bipartisan manner,” said Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden). “We are already beginning to see the positive impact this legislation is having, including keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them. Ultimately, to truly reduce gun violence in this country we need Congress to act, and I encourage them to use our legislation as a model.”

 

The Governor was joined by Greater Danbury Brady Campaign, Connecticut Against Gun Violence, The Enough Campaign, Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence, League of Women Voters, March for Change,  Moms Demand Action, Mothers United Against Violence, Newtown Action Alliance, Peace in Connecticut, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Sandy Hook Ride, Trinity Episcopal Church, The Unitarian Church of Westport, United Action of Connecticut, United Physicians of Newtown, Women on Watch and YANA (You Are Not Alone).

Upcoming Events at Sherwood Island State Park: Westport, CT

April 5 & 6: Art Show: Saturday 12:00 to 5:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM

Featuring artwork by the animals of Beardsley Zoo

Art Gallery Show and Sale at the Nature Center at Sherwood Island State Park

 

Beardsley Zoo: Guests are invited to join Beardsley Zoo’s animal enrichment program as they display and sell paintings made by their residents. Each is a one of a kind documented piece of art made by tigers, wolves, otters, rabbits, and many more.

 

Photographer Sgt. Cindy Snyder: has captured the action in Africa and at Greenwich’s private Leo Zoo and . Her picture of the baby giraffe: Sandy Hope has graced several national magazines.

 

Artist Raven Cooper: will demonstrate a work in progress and takes commissions for portraits of pets as well as: prints, originals,(both hand colored and black and white) and hand silk screened tee shirts.

 

Origami artist will create folded paper swans, frogs and other animals with your kids Saturday 12-2

Country Squire Modeler Club: The Fly Boys will provide model airplane demos on both days 12-4

Raffle of the artists will benefit the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park

And other upcoming events:

May 17^th:  Sherwood Family Reunion: Generations of the families that once lived and worked on what is now Sherwood Island. In conjunction with the CT State Parks Centennial Celebration, they will have an opportunity to review draft of interpretive panels, using the information from archives and the 2013 archeology digs, which will be placed along a newly designated historical trail beginning at the area near the Pavilion, where early Native American Settlement artifacts have been found. Do you have old pictures of the park through the decades? Feel free to bring them!

 

May 17 & 18: Island Workdays:  Volunteer Appreciation Day: Spend the day outside, come by yourself, with your family, friends, teams or groups and help spiffy-up, build and repair projects in the park, free park entrance for those coming to work.

 

June 7 & 8: CT State Parks & Forests’ Free Trails Day: Taking place throughout the State of Connecticut’s parks and forests. FREE park entry and special events taking place at Sherwood Island State Park including several walks and hikes highlighting the beauty of the park’s 234 acres of beach, meadow, marsh and woods. Activities include: Guided bird walks, stroll along the tideline, introduction to the new historical trail, sein-net-fishing near the Nature Center to explore what lives under the water, and so much more.

 

CONTACT: Mary Ann West, Public Affairs on behalf of Friends of Sherwood Island

mwestwrites@gmail.com or 203-554-3964  Check us out: http://friendsofsherwoodisland.org