Domestic-violence gun-seizure bill stalls

Gun owners gained the upper hand over domestic-violence groups Wednesday in a highly charged debate over the proposed seizure of firearms from people with temporary restraining orders against them.

With less than 24 hours to go until the scheduled adjournment of the Legislature, a bill seeking greater protections for victims of abuse stalled in the Senate, amid opposition from Second Amendment supporters.

"This is the lightning rod that brings these two compelling issues together," said Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, a ranking member of the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee.

GOP critics of the measure, which would require owners of firearms to surrender their weapons and ammunition within 24 hours of being served with a temporary restraining order, argued that it would violate the due-process rights of gun owners and provide a false sense of security to restraining-order applicants.

"I do not belittle or deny that there is a need for protections for individuals that are fearful for their health and safety and perhaps for the health and safety of their children and loved ones," Kissel said. "I don't think we can deny that. On the other hand, I also want to acknowledge that the Second Amendment, especially for folks in my neck of the woods, is extraordinarily important and revered."

The current law allows gun owners under temporary restraining orders to hold onto their weapons and ammunition until they appear before a judge, which can take up to 14 days. The bill's supporters, influenced by the 2014 death of Lori Jackson -- whose husband allegedly murdered her after she got a temporary restraining order against him -- say that's far too long.

"I was disappointed. I knew it was gonna be tough," said Kacey Mason, Jackson's older sister.

When someone applies for a restraining order, the bill's supporters said, it can send the abuser over the edge.

"Many people have said the most precarious time for a person who is a victim of domestic abuse is the time subsequent to the service of a restraining order," said Sen. Eric Coleman, D-Bloomfield, the Judiciary Committee's co-chair.

The push for the bill comes two years after Connecticut lawmakers passed a sweeping gun-control law in response to the 2012 killing of 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School by a heavily armed gunman.

But early Wednesday morning, Senate Democrats tabled the bill before Republicans could introduce a motion to try to kill the legislation. The current legislative session was scheduled to end at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, which still gave the Senate time to resurrect the measure, though as each hour passed the proposal's prospects grew dimmer.

"It's not over until it's over," said Lenny Benedetto, a vice president and a founder of the 18,000-member Connecticut Citizens Defense League. "There will be no relief from anybody in CCDL until the session is over."

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said the bill addressed a number of flaws in the process of taking out a restraining order.

"There is often so much frustration on the part of petitioners who are trying to navigate the system at a time that often involves turmoil in their lives and the anguish of a broken relationship," Looney said.

Republicans contend that there is currently an option known as a risk warrant that allows victims of domestic violence to make a direct complaint to police, who would then apply for a warrant from the judge to immediately seize firearms from a suspected abuser.

"It's immediate," said Sen. Michael McLachlan, R-Danbury. "There's no tap on the door and say,''Hi, how are you? You're in trouble. I'm going to come back in 24 hours and get your firearm.' "

Mason, whose sister was 32 when she was killed, said many women are afraid to involve the police.

"So that's my fear with that, that women won't take advantage of that," Mason said. "In my sister's case, she was fearful of leaving."

Sen. Joe Markley, R-Southington, one of the chamber's most conservative members and a candidate for state GOP chairman, said gun owners are misunderstood.

"I have developed a deep concern and respect and allegiance and fellowship with people who are strong believers in the Second Amendment and who pursue this hobby with a passion and enjoyment, legally and fruitfully, I believe," Markley said. "(The proposed bill) would make it easy on the word of single person, without the chance for rebuttal or explanation, to take away a person's firearm, something that is their protection and their pastime and something that is of great value to them."

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