GOV. MALLOY AND LT. GOV. WYMAN APPLAUD FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OF BILL PROTECTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman are applauding a vote in the State Senate this afternoon to approve a bill the Governor introduced that protects victims of domestic violence by prohibiting the possession of firearms for anyone who becomes subject to a temporary restraining order. The bill, which received approval last week in the House of Representatives, will now be transmitted to the Governor for his signature.
Governor Malloy said, “We have a moral obligation to work to prevent needless tragedy and to make this the law. Women in abusive relationships are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm. Between 2000 through 2012, Connecticut averaged 14 intimate partner homicides per year, and firearms were the most commonly used weapons. When an instance of domestic violence rises to the point that a temporary restraining order is needed, we must do everything we can to prevent tragedy. Now, Connecticut will take a commonsense step towards strengthening and enhancing our gun violence protection laws. I want to thank every Senator who today voted to approve this bill in concurrence with the House, and I look forward to signing it in the coming days.”
The legislation is House Bill 5054, An Act Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence.