Over 100 guns added to the state’s existing list of banned weapons

By Lindsey Pizzica Rotolo

While the United States Senate voted on April 17 to defeat a compromise
plan that would have banned some semi-automatic weapons and expanded
background checks on firearms sales, the Connecticut legislature passed one
of the toughest sets of gun control laws in the country two weeks earlier.

The new state laws added more than 100 guns to the state’s existing list
of banned weapons, limited the capacity of ammunition magazines to
ten rounds, banned armor piercing bullets and now requires expanded
background checks for each and every gun purchase, including those at gun
shows.

The legislation also creates safety standards for school buildings, allows
school districts to require “mental health first aid” training for school
personnel, creates a task force to examine the state’s mental health system
and expands mental health care coverage in the state’s insurance regulations.

While some see this as progress, not much has been done to institute any of
the new legislation. Norfolk’s own firearms dealer, Icebox Firearms, has yet
to receive a single email or letter from the state about how the new legislation
will affect them.

Matt Bell of Icebox Firearms in Norfolk. Photo by Lindsey Rotolo.

Matt Bell, 24, has worked at Icebox Firearms since it opened in 2010. He took it upon himself to pore through the seven pages of banned weapons listed on the state’s website. That list ends with a note from the commanding officer of the special licensing and firearms unit that promises to “keep you posted as we sort through the legislation and institute any new operating policies due to this legislation.”

Bell pointed to a Ruger Mini 14 high up on the wall behind the counter. “This is the only popular semiautomatic firearm we sell that wasn’t affected by the assault weapons ban. They’ve been making this gun since the 1970s, and it still takes a removable magazine. The one here holds five rounds, but they make one that holds ten-rounds, too. I guess that’s the closest we come to an assault rifle here.”

Icebox Firearms saw a huge spike in sales from the time of the Newtown
school shootings on December 14 right up until Connecticut passed the new
legislation on April 4. “Things have been pretty quiet since then,” Bell says.

Every firearm purchase in Conn., even before the legislation, required a
background check. Under the new law, there are different certifications
required. Beginning October 1, 2013, anyone wishing to purchase ammunition
must possess an ammunition permit, and anyone wishing to purchase a long-
gun must have a long-gun eligibility certificate, but no method is currently
in place to obtain either certification. Pistol permits have not changed, and
anyone with a pistol permit is allowed to purchase ammunition or long-guns
without the new certifications.

While sales of firearms have dropped off since the beginning of April,
ammunition sales at Icebox Firearms, as elsewhere in the country, are at an
all-time high. “It’s a combination of the conspiracy theorists, hoarders and
people who just want to go out and shoot,” Bell reports.

He scrolled down a list of upcoming shooting events at Northwest Connecticut
Rod and Gun Club in North Canaan. “For each of these events you need to
have a minimum amount of ammunition to enter. I can’t currently supply even
one person the ammo they need for a single shooting event.”

Bell cited the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Obama’s re-
election last November, and the Newtown shootings as all causing the largest
spikes in sales since opening the store three years ago. He currently receives
three or four phone calls a day from people wondering what they need to do
to comply with the new laws.

“The legislation says you have until January 1, 2014. My advice to everyone
is to wait and see, because there are sure to be many changes between
now and then. The ammo supplies will come back. Everything evens out
eventually.”