Connecticut’s Democratic governor is seeking to alleviate the state’s budget deficit by leveling higher fees for gun ownership.

Gov. Dannel Malloy proposed increases to pistol permit fees as a way to deal with failed policies that have led to Connecticut’s $1.7 billion budget deficit, CBS News and The Associated Press reported.

The state’s Republican lawmakers and other gun rights supporters are fighting back the increases which they argue will prevent many people from exercising their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

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The governor’s plan will quadruple the five-year renewal fee for pistol permits from $70 to $300. First-time five-year permits would jump from $140 to $370 and fees for background checks would increase from $50 to $75.

The plan, with fees among the highest in the country, is expected to raise nearly $12 million a year in additional revenue for the Constitution State.

@foxandfriends Gov. Malloy keeps pushing people out of Connecticut! — Dale Dion (@dale_dion4) February 20, 2017

Malloy’s proposal was called “outrageous” by the National Rifle Association.

“The ability to protect and defend yourself should not be reserved only for the wealthy,” Chris Kopacki, Connecticut legislative liaison for the NRA, said. “Some of our state’s poorest residents, many of whom live in high-crime neighborhoods, may not be able to afford a firearm for self-protection under Malloy’s proposed fee hikes.”

Malloy defended the fees and said they were in line with those charged in nearby jurisdictions.

“What was true was that our fee was unreasonably less expensive and, quite frankly, given the amount of work that has to be done with respect to licensure, we weren’t recovering our costs,” Malloy said last week. “I suspect that everyone who has a pistol permit is going to get a renewal. If you’re going to have a gun and you’re going to seek a permit, we have a fee structure.”

@ramburner1 @LaughinHart @newsmax Gov Malloy of Connecticut has proposed a modest 428% increase in 5 year concealed carry permit fees. — Richard Woska (@RichardWoska1) February 20, 2017

But Rich Burgess, president of a non-profit gun rights advocacy group, Connecticut Carry, disagreed that fees were not expensive.

“That is a lot of money for the exercise of a right,” he said. “What other right is subject to these kinds of costs for individuals? And now to increase that, it is preposterous.”

GOP lawmakers vowed to fight the proposed plan.

Many Twitter users also condemned the plan and its infringement on the constitutional right to bear arms.

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@NRAA1F People like Malloy will not stop the American People. Hopefully every American is out buying guns today. — BILL REED (@junpstart) February 14, 2017

CONNECTICUT DEMS WANT ALL OF YOUR GUNS!! SO YOU CAN’T PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM THE MUSLIMS THEY DROP ON YOU. .pic.twitter.com/9cSvlC5Hxi — Tom (@III_Means_Free) February 21, 2017

@NRAA1F @nranews Apparently he doesn’t want to keep his job next election. — Schwinky (@Jchalestorm1) February 13, 2017

@NRAA1F Putting the ownership of a gun even further away from the low-income, inner city masses that need it the most, or fixed-income older — Ken Murray (@KMWIA96) February 14, 2017

@foxandfriends I live in CT. Our Gov has practically bankrupted CT.He taxes & regulates us to suit his agenda. Businesses & people leaving — CRE (@crlov04) February 20, 2017

@foxandfriends Unconstitutional tax on Constitutional right. — Curtis LeMay (@CurtisLemey) February 20, 2017

@foxandfriends he’s the worst governor we are ranked 50th fiscally. But what do I expect state run by all democrats total fail. — Al Pastula. ?? (@al_pastula) February 20, 2017

@foxandfriends this nonsense goes on in the liberals enclaves. It’s up to the people of Connecticut to get rid of these people, not us. — John (@onairacok) February 20, 2017

@foxandfriends More thinly disguised gun control. Connecticut residents need to wise up before it’s too late. — Gary Blackford (@gary_blackford) February 20, 2017