Democrats in the State Senate Tuesday led passage of legislation banning bump stocks, devices that can turn semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons. Bump stocks transform the firing mechanism of a semi-automatic weapon so that it fires like a fully automatic weapon. They were used in the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, where the shooter was able to fire an estimated 90 shots in 10 seconds, killing dozens and wounding hundreds. A bump stock also makes the weapon less accurate.
Eight Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in voting for the measure. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has indicated he intends to sign the measure.
“I believe that we don’t need bump stocks in our society. They are a huge threat to our children, parents, and the citizens of Connecticut,” said Sen. Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford). “I am so proud to stand with my fellow democrats and vote to ban bump stocks in Connecticut.”
House Bill 5542, An Act Concerning Bump Stocks and Other Means of Enhancing the Rate of Fire of a Firearm, generally makes it a class D felony for anyone, except a licensed firearms manufacturer fulfilling a military contract, to sell, offer to sell, otherwise transfer, or offer to transfer, purchase, possess, use or manufacture a “rate of fire enhancement” (a bump stock). By law, a class D felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both.
Massachusetts, California, Vermont, New Jersey, Washington and Florida have already passed laws banning bump stocks and other rapid-fire devices.