Malloy gives Biden gun law suggestions

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce his recommendations for changing the nation's gun laws tomorrow and Governor Malloy has told the Vice President what changes he wants to see on that list.

We all know the U.S. Congress does not move very fast but the Governor thinks the state legislature can, especially in the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook.

In the personal letter to the Vice President, Governor Malloy is urging strict new laws, at the federal level, for gun ownership.

He's calling for re-instating and strengthening the expired assault weapons ban, plus a ban on all high capacity ammuniton magazines and federal background checks for all firearm purchases and a federal firearm license, closing the so-called gun show and private gun sale loophole.

"I think we should close all loopholes. The reality is that if I get on a plane, my name is going to be checked but if I buy a gun, it's not? That doesn't make any sense to anybody anymore," said Gov. Malloy.

Many Democrats and Republicans in the legislature already say they agree with many of the items on this list and the leader in the State Senate and the new Speaker of the House will announce a special committee of key legislative leaders tomorrow with the goal of getting many of these things on the books in Connecticut within a matter of weeks.

"We would love to be abel to take action, not, you know, in June, but, ideally by the end of February," said Democrat Sen. Don Williams the Senate President Pro Tem.

"I suspect that we'll move on some of this stuff before the federal government deos and I can tell in the legislature that there's a desire to get some of this stuff on our books," said Gov. Malloy.

Since the Republican leader in the State Senate has already signed on to a Democratic Senator's proposed ban on high capacity ammunition magazines, bi-partisan support is almost assured and planning for the state to buy back all those gun magazines in Connecticut appears to be already in the works.

"Buying back is certainly an option and might get a good response so it's certainly something to think about," said Republic Minority Leader Rep. Larry Cafero.

Republican leader Cafero will be on that special committee. He was scheduled to meet with representatives of the NRA and the Coaltion of Connecticut Sportsmen for their input.