Panel forwards gun violence proposals

UPDATE: (WTNH) -- A special task force set up following the Sandy Hook shooting made recommendations after months of hearing from many people but the bi-partisan panel appears to be split down party lines over how to move forward on the gun-control issue.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary sparked debate on the gun control issue and a call for change was made by the Governor, hence the creation of the bi-partisan "Gun Violence Prevention Working Group" who made a series of separate recommendations Tuesday.

"To come up with a very broad group of initiatives that could have a positive effect to the greater population of Connecticut," said Rep. Craig Miner, Assistant Republican Leader.

The two proposals, one from Republicans, the other from Democrats, differed mostly in the areas of assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines, which Democrats want to ban. There were similarities, however, some of which include:

*  Implement a universal background check for any firearm
*  Clarify standards for suitability/stricter mental health "look-backs" for gun permits
*  Expand firearm safe storage
*  Ban the sale of all armor piercing bullets
*  Increase penalties for firearms trafficking

"A lot of the penalties that were increased, they sound good, but unless the courts do something about them, which is one of our problems now, we don't have convictions, we don't have incarcerations," said Robert Crook, Coalition of CT Sportsmen. "Any gun bill you pass is not going to stop a thing like Sandy Hook. It has no relevance to the situation except it was a tool that was being used. Attack the real problem, get after these mental defectives."

One task force, two proposals. The ideas now are in the hands of legislative leadership, with more public hearings to take place to get a pulse on what people think about change.

"Our process was to advance recommendations to give them a range of options to consider in the inclusion of the ultimate bill," said Sen. Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader.

"Do you believe any of these recommendations would prevent a future Sandy Hook," asked News 8's Jamie Muro.

"I don't think you can talk about prevention, but I think in the aggregate they may make it less likely," said Sen. Looney.

Below is a press release from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is based in Newtown.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, issued the following statement today:

The firearms industry has a long history in Connecticut and to this day has a sizeable economic presence and workforce in the Constitution state.  We are disappointed therefore that General Assembly’s Task Force could not reach a bipartisan agreement on proposals to prevent future violence that involve the criminal misuse of firearms.

NSSF agrees with suggestions that the focus should be to keep firearms out of the wrong hands but an outright ban of the most popular semiautomatic rifle in the United States today, as some are suggesting, for what are essentially cosmetic reasons would make no one safer and is unfair to the millions of people who have purchased them legally and use them responsibly for hunting, shooting competition and home defense. It also holds the real prospect of affecting employment in our state because underlying issues go deeper than whether manufacturing exemptions would be issued. We will review all proposals in more detail and will continue to be a resource to achieve our common goal of a safer Connecticut.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A bipartisan, legislative working group is planning to finalize its recommendations for law changes addressing gun violence.

Lawmakers were scheduled to meet Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building to discuss which proposals to forward to legislative leaders, who are crafting a final package of changes in response to the Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Last week, Senate President Donald Williams Jr. called on members of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety to wrap up their work. Besides gun violence, working groups are offering recommendations on mental health care and school security.

Williams wants legislative leaders to begin their negotiations Tuesday afternoon. He has also called for the full General Assembly to vote on a final package by March 13.