Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) calls for gun control legislation at a meeting in December 2018 (Picture/Instagram)
U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), announced last Friday at a press conference that they are co-sponsoring new federal legislation that would mandate how firearms should be stored by owners.
Under the proposed law, gun owners are required to comply with federal standards for securing their firearms. If they fail to comply, they would face a $500 penalty or forfeiture of their firearms. If an injury or death is involved, the gun owner could be charged with a class D felony which could result in a federal prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
“That’s the purpose of this federal law,” stated Blumenthal, “to hold accountable any firearms owner who fails to safely store or secure their firearms, to prevent access from minors or from others who are dangerous, convicted of crimes, and make our communities safer.”
During Friday’s press conference, Sen. Blumenthal explained that the bill would be modeled after a new measure introduced by state Rep. Sean Scanlon (D) which is designed to strengthen Connecticut’s existing gun storage statute.
Currently, state law requires loaded firearms to be secured if a minor (defined as a person under the age of 16 years), a prohibited person, or a person who poses a risk of imminent personal injury to himself or others is present. The updated version would require all firearms, loaded and unloaded, to be secured. It also changes the definition of a minor to any person age 18 years or younger.
SEE ALSO: Feinstein’s 2019 Assault Weapons Ban Targets Pistol Braces, Amongst the Usual Suspects
The proposed state legislation is referred to as “Ethan’s Law.” It is named after a 15-year-old boy named Ethan Song who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in January 2018 when he gained access to an unsecured .357 magnum handgun and ammunition while visiting a friend’s house. The senators’ press conference was given on the day before what would have been Ethan’s 16th birthday.
Ethan’s mother, Kristin Song was also present and spoke at the press conference. She said that if guns are safely stored it would reduce gun violence in the United States dramatically.
“Here is the good news, technology has made it possible to keep firearms out of inappropriate hands and permitting quick access to your firearm in the event that you need to protect your loved ones or your home — the safes can be opened in a matter of seconds,” Song said.
Kristen and Michael Song, Ethan’s parents, have brought a civil lawsuit against the owner of the .357 magnum handgun that Ethan used to accidentally end his life last year.
Sen. Blumenthal called upon the National Rifle Association to support the proposed legislation.
The NRA has long been a proponent of gun safety and education, but has cautioned against anti-gun politicians using safe storage laws as a “tool for disarming the American public.”
The federal version of “Ethan’s Law” has been designated “S.193.” On Jan. 18th it was introduced in the Senate, read twice and then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The actual text of the proposed bill has not yet been received by the Library of Congress at the time of the publication of this article.
No doubt something Blumenthal picked up while serving in Vietnam.
Of course if this law would never be used against career criminals, only against normally law abide citizens w/no criminal record. Shameful
Maybe we should have fines and jail time for politicians who don’t uphold the oaths they took when sworn into office. It’s sad to see anyone hurt or killed but we need to be realistic. Teach children to respect others property and that some things should not be messed with, like guns, growling dogs, my 2300 pound bull among others. Are they going to lock up all the steak knives, screw drivers, axes, hatches, scissors, car keys, etc. …. . So, if a 9 or 10 year old neighbor takes the keys off the key rake of your home and gets hurt driving your car are you responsible for him? Did you enable him or did he steal the car? Probably neither, but he knew or should have been taught that his actions were wrong. Use some common sense AMERICA!!!
Is SHALL not be infringed so difficult to understand
Notice in the picture that they are using pictures of dead loved ones to promote their bill.
Yet, if those people had been killed by an illegal alien, it wouldn’t have mattered
Or a doctor just after they were born.
Exactly right and Yes it’s a lack of respect
How the Hell do these lame brain “public servants” hope to enforce this kind of stupid law? Are they going to establish a new law enforcement branch to run around peeking in windows to see who has put in a safe to lock up their guns??? Is the gun in the night stand now illegal, or on the coffee table, etc for self defense? With all these infringements into private life’s anarchy is just around the corner.
So why are these legislators who took an oath before God to preserve and protect the Constitution for the united States violating those oaths? Gee, maybe they’re forgetful? Or more likely BRAIN DEAD? Just an insight from a lifelong patriot.
TIME to Fight back America! We The People need to put together a web site a coalition something where we can all speak out against anti-constitutional laws. We need to make it know to our government who is suppose to work for us by the way, that We Will Not Abide or Recognize any unconstitutional laws, none that exist today or any they try to pass! None Period! If politicians can break our constitutional law we can by God stand up for it!
Is this fake news? I see nothing on Blumbusters or Murph’s listings of sponsored legislation… on the US Senate website… would not doubt they would but, I don’t need anymore fake news as the MSM already does a good job of that… please reference the SB number… then I will take you off the list of don’t believe anything you read…
We are planning on living in a sanctuary gun zone !! If it works for illegal aliens, it should work for legal guns !!!
I refuse to comply..
These ‘safes’ cost over $100, people struggle to procure a handgun for home safety/defense. Now, add this on top of it, I’m sure the lower middle class can all afford it, I mean, (sarcasm), we all have $100 bills shooting out our backside. Forget practicing , knowing your gun and how to handle it safely, all you ned is a digital gun safe. Right?
I wonder when they are going to enact the same kinds of laws regarding Alcoholic beverages and all drugs legal and illegal because they are a serious problem as well. Funny how selective they can be on what they deem as safety hazards.
“a person who poses a risk of imminent personal injury to himself or others is present.” So, according to the CT law, if someone breaks into your house and threatens “imminent personal injury” to you or your family, you are in violation of the law if you do not immediately “secure” your firearm. That is the height of absurdity.
You folks need to begin including bill numbers with these reports so we can 1) track them down and 2) reference them when contacting legislators. “[N]ew federal legislation is mightily unhelpful.
Of course, according to Heller v. DC: “The handgun ban and the trigger-lock requirement (as applied to self-defense) violate the Second Amendment… Under any of the standards of scrutiny the Court has applied to enumerated constitutional rights, this prohibition—in the place where the importance of the lawful defense of self, family, and property is most acute—would fail constitutional muster. Similarly, the requirement that any lawful firearm in the home be disassembled or bound by a trigger lock makes it impossible for citizens to use arms for the core lawful purpose of self-defense and is hence unconstitutional.”
During a violent home invasion, you do not have “seconds” to open a gun safe. The firearm has to be ready IMMEDIATELY.
Opening a gun safe is not part of realistic force on force training. The reason why is that the firearm is expected to be ready at a moment’s notice. Experienced shooters can have their gun out and shots fired in 1.5 to 2 seconds, much faster than anyone could open any kind of lock.
Not to mention that the digital safes are far from reliable or fast. I have a fingerprint operated safe that may read my fingerprint one out of ten times, I usually have to find the “backup” key to get into it. The pushbutton safe that I have usually takes me 1 to 2 minutes to get into. Depending upon either of them for quick access in an emergency would likely be fatal.
Both successfully keep out visiting children, neither is reliable enough to make me give up the weapon on the nightstand or the one on my person when the small children are not present.
Piece by piece….
Once the Second Amendment is gone, there is nothing left to protect our remaining rights.
If one lives in a rural area, as I do, one has to wonder who will respond (and when) to a 911 call for a home invasion. Will it be a Sheriff’s Deputy or the Coroner?
Refuse . Arm yourself. Fight. Democrats are anti GOD, and communist. We will have to destroy them eventually. Blood shed is all they will understand.
Bring a platoon of Marines, you are going to need them.
I will be goddamned if I let these goddamnned communists tell me how to live my life in my own fucking home! GO TO HELL ASSHOLES!!!
All these gun accidents occur , because of not teaching kids respect of parents and too respect
a parents order not to touch or play with gun(s) . And the fear that news and the anti-gun jackasses .
Laws to in prison honest people is dumb . They just look to go behind and down alleys to get around
the 2nd Amendment . By spending tax dollars to come up with ways to confiscate our guns weapons .
Are they going to send officers to everyone who owns a gun to inspect ??
This seems to be another way to come into homes without a warrant and confiscate guns.
THIS NOTHING BUT ANOTHER LAW TO CONFISCATE OUR GUNS !!!
Two things I really despise — “activists” (malcontents is what they really are), and [some idiot]’s law. Whenever we have a law named after some idiot, it was because they used some bs scenario to herd legislators like animals into quickly approving a law not because it is needed, but because they know that if people slow down and think, they’ll vote against it. There are plenty of laws regarding negligence already on the books that would cover this stupid situation. Making an illegal action more illegal doesn’t stop it. It just gets a Democrat into office.
The second amendment’s says our rights shall not be infringed. Even the 1934 gun control act is an infringement and must be repeald.
No one has the right to take away our rights over their delusions.
If you want to stop school shootings hang our treasonous federal government that works for investment bankers, and not us! They are behind the school shootings. “Read the Devils Chessboard and see how it works.”
If they were serious – they would provide free storage for gun owners. If the government passed a law requiring everyone to have a garage for their car, motorcycles, bicycles etc you expect them to provide it. How is gun ownership different? Me? I think society as a whole has more issues with soft porn and violence leaking into homes with children via cable TV and video games.
For those of you (The socialist/communist/democrats) and Hoplophobics who do not know, here is a little History in a nut shell…
“All political power comes from the barrel of a gun. The communist party must command all the guns, that way, no guns can ever be used to command the party.”
– Mao Tze Tung, Nov 6, 1938
How ironic that those who are calling for gun control are those who want the guns, so they can have the control.
It is of interest to the American people to take note of those who they entrust to serve them. We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, yet time and time again in this country we have leaders in government who put on the guise of “patriot” and then turn out to be the criminal in garb. The crimes that these anti-gunner politicians are convicted of, suggest they are public enemy’s rather than public servants. No wonder they want to take guns from law-abiding citizens. What we see is that some of today’s politicians are magnifying the crimes they are placed in office to prevent.
They allow crime to be promoted through entertainment and when the crime is committed, they are there in hopes to grab the guns away.
This is exactly how criminals in government operate. They demonize the gun and the legal gun owners, not the criminals.
Since criminal politicians refuse to look at history, which can be at the present our greatest teacher, it is very clear that gun banners know exactly what they are attempting to do -– put the Second Amendment in the crosshairs.
Looking back, who has committed murder in the largest degree?
Dictators Adolf Hitler, Mao Tze Tung, Josef Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, etc.
Time and time again it is corrupt governments who are responsible for the mass murder of their own people under the deceptive guise of “gun control,” all of which the said dictators implemented.
Keep in mind these people promised their citizens protection and freedom upon the forfeiture of their guns.
How many times, does history need to repeat itself?
Mass murderer Adolf Hitler at a dinner talk on April 11, 1942 said:
“The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to possess arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that the supply of arms to the underdogs is a sine qua non for the overthrow of any sovereignty. So, let’s not have any native militia or native police. German troops alone will bear the sole responsibility for the maintenance of law and order throughout the occupied Russian territories, and a system of military strong-points must be evolved to cover the entire occupied country.”
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
Josef Stalin, the sole leader of the Soviet Union from 1924 to 1953, said:
“If the opposition disarms, well and good. If it refuses to disarm, we shall disarm it ourselves.”
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Mao Tze Tung, communist dictator of China said:
“War can only be abolished through war, and to get rid of the gun it is necessary to take up the gun.”
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Idi Amin, president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979, said:
“I do not want to be controlled by any superpower. I myself consider myself the most powerful figure in the world, and that is why I do not let any superpower control me.”
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Pol Pot, who created in Cambodia one of the 20th century’s most brutal and radical regimes, was responsible for killing one million of his own ‘educated,’ yet unarmed citizens.
Conclusion:
Our forefathers did not arm the American people for hunting, but rather to protect themselves from those who were doing the hunting, namely the tyrant King George. The second amendment is only to vouchsafe our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and to ensure all the other rights given unto us by our Creator.
The wisdom of the framers of the Constitution once again is found consistent with the lessons of the Bible (Which is presently being Perverted) they used as their bedrock for civil law. The people’s individual protection should always be a primary concern of government “of the people”. In a righteous country, self-government reigns by the constraint of Christian morals. The civil government that desires such a monopoly of force (i.e. they are the only ones with guns) is a threat to the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens, for that government ceases to be “of and for the people.”
Saul Alinsky is nothing more than a rehash of passed history’s trash heap of ideological insanity.
It is the Equation of,
Socialism>Communism>Gun Control=Disarmament=Extermination…
The self- proclaimed “social-justice warriors” hopes that no one has educated themselves on past extermination history that this globe has suffered time and time again, which proves their circle of insanity.
“The right of decent private citizens to personally possess, transport, and responsibly use arms without government interference is the ultimate freedom and the main pillar supporting all other liberties.”
“The inalienable and fundamental right to keep and bear arms which is enumerated by (but predates) the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is not about hunting, gun collecting, or target shooting. Its purpose is to ensure that every responsible American personally possesses the means to defend the Republic from all forms of tyranny, within and without. It is what permits the other nine Amendments in the Bill of Rights to be more than mere hollow phrases on a piece of paper. “Its free exercise is the antithesis of serfdom and THE ONLY MEANINGFUL FORM OF HOLOCAUST INSURANCE KNOWN TO MAN”.
What these commies want to do is copy off other nations like Australia, which don’t have The Second Amendment! The little punk can try to force me!
If these clown politicians spent as much effort cracking down on the criminals as they do the law abiding, tax-paying public, then they wouldn’t have to propose such stupid laws as this one. Then again, may it’s true, they want total control over us. One day, they will reap the whirlwind…
Typical democRAT , make the honest gun owner a criminal !!
Hey Bloomberg, all your money and power don’t mean anything to real Americans. Yes, real Americans. Here’s what real Americans don’t look like. Go into your palatial bathroom and look in the mirror. That communistic, race baiting, anti-gun, lying politician, scumbag looking back at you is the bane of all real Americans!
At 12, I had access to my Dad’s .38 revolver and knew how to use it. He set up a range in the basement where I could practice with primer-propelled wax bullets. When I wasn’t practicing, the gun was loaded with live ammo and in my parents’ unlocked closet. We had no accidents, no thefts.
People teach their kids about crossing the street, not touching hot stoves, how to use kitchen knives, how not to mess with household chemicals, not to take candy from strangers, etc. Why don’t they spend a few minutes teaching them not to mess with guns. The NRA has the whole “Eddie Eagle” program to do just that and it’s free.
The most dangerous place in America is standing between “Danang Dick” Blumenthal and a TV Camera…that I can assure you.
This country should worry more about the years ahead for generations that Russia,China, Pakistan, South America, Drug Cartels will invade America. Disarming America will leave our Grand children subject to slaughter. But today’s America lives only for today. There is a far more dangerous future than global warming.
But, Russia is our friend, know how I know? ‘Cause Putin says such nice things about OUR wittle President!!!
So, we have the TRUMPSTOCK BAN, the President openely calling for the suspension of Due Process, and supporting the RedFlag laws introduced in Congress??
I think people need to open their eyes, and realize they have been idolizing the Golden (Orange??) Calf!!!!
You feel off a turnip truck! Best to remember the motto, “Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer” that way you know when and how to strike!
I agree with this! Also should charge everybody that gets mugged or house or car broken into for aiding and abetting a crime, also collusion with the drug cartels, seeing though that’s the root of a lot of it. Cha ching, Cha ching
Excuse me criminal person (no PC pronoun), please don’t rob or shoot me while I open my gun safe and load up with my separately stored ammo. Feel free to rape my wife for a distraction while I do it.
Blumenthal’s an asshole.
I find it more than ironic that in the not too distant past, 1 of the left’s big issues was “what goes on in behind the closed doors of a person’s home is their own business. Now, they want to tell us how we need to act in our own homes? The double standard of the left is as consistent as the sun rising every morning.
This would later be followed by a Canadian sty
E bill which requires all weapons be locked up separate from the ammunition that they use, this is the reason Canadians suffer what is referred to as a “ hot burglary” , the bad guys hope their home in order to increase getting more money from them. Also if the victim uses a weapon for defense they are looking at prison time!
Blumenthal lied about serving in Vietnam so I would not trust this creep on any issue and what thug government agency is going to enforce this overreach? Any proposal by the crazycrats is not to be trusted.
And what thug government agency will be breaking into your home to enforce all these overreach requirements? Isn’t Blumenthal the guy that lied about service in Vietnam? Oh yeah I trust this creep only a socialist democrat could love.
The parents (of the teen that shot himself) should be charged with “neglect” and “child endangerment” for not teaching their children proper firearm handling and safety.
First of all it was not his property! How come the people who are the problem are not held accountable, I now have to protect thieves and people who do not know how to keep there hands off other peoples property? (Let me go into your how Mr. Senator and take the keys to your car and drink your alcohol and procede to kill someone and sue you for not keeping me from hurting myself or someone else.) I think that sounds about right.
When the Democrats put all the responsible working American’s in jail, who will they tax to keep the funds flowing into Wash. D.C. so they can continue their petty games?
William, you make gun owners sound like ignorant assholes. And the government’s job stops at your property line is bs. If you have guns and small children in the home-or even kids that aren’t yours, like your kids friends, it is your responsibility to keep them from obtaining your guns. Period. My kids know better. But I did not raise their friends. I tell my kids if your at a friends house and they are showing you a gun to leave and report to me immediately.
Right, store your home defense guns in such a way they cannot be used to defend you and your family. Brilliant!
The incident doesn’t sound like a storage problem but a teaching problem. Obviously Ethan wasn’t taught to leave other peoples stuff alone. I have a safe and most of my valuables are locked up. Under this law will I be required to run a background check on everyone who enters my home? Does Anyone out there ask their friends if they are “prohibited”?
the key word here is “Confiscated”, oops they actually said”forfeiture of their firearms”! That is the goal!
Is this what defines the democrat party? Confiscate guns and kill babies?
This is how I feel about all these anti gun laws! We might as well protect all drivers from Drunk driving accidents by having laws that restrict when those who never drive drunk to certain hours of the day, must be going to or coming from work, that those who don’t drive drunk must store those same vehicles in a locked garage and the keys stored in a separate lock box, that they must be incapable of being stolen to protect ourselves from someone who might steal it and drive drunk!
I’m still waiting and have been waiting for over 25 years for one of these pin head politicians to quote me, name me, one law, any law that has ever prevented a crime!
“Ethan” shoots himself because of his own negligence….”Ethan’s” parents were probably too “scared” of guns to teach him proper safety…and now some law-abiding gun owner gets sued. SMDH. Are the police going to inspect crack houses and MS13 dens to make sure the guns are properly secured?
Control, control, control. That’s all democrats know. Telling us how we should live, work, and play. Treating the citizens as if they are toddlers.
WWell said and very true William. If they charge the owner the parents should also be charged for ‘child neglect’ since they neglected the child education, respect and discipline.
And just HOW do they propose to enforce this idiotic idea? House-to-house searches to check for compliance? Not that commiecrats seem to have a problem with constitutional violations, but it seems that would make for an unreasonable search-and-seizure
I’m not having some pin-head Senator that lied about serving in the Vietnam War (stolen Valor is illegal Senator) tell me what to do with my firearms. To the U.S. government I say….stay out of my personal business and go on about the business on my country.
They don’t care about crime, in fact, they are criminals and don’t want any competition.
Where were these people with Kate’s Law??????
Lack of respect for personal property…
Teach your kids that it is not a toy and put it in a safe place because if your guns are locked up how are you supposed to defend yourself if an intruder breaks in, I’m pretty sure they are not going to wait and let you grab it, so for simple minded people get your heads out of your ASSES and be parents and teach your kids wright from wrong because teachers today want to either sleep with your kids or tell them it’s ok to be gay.
William, I agree 100% with you! I was taught about guns and given a Daisy BB gun at 6. Given my first 20 Gage at 9. and shot squirrels with my dad’s double barrel LONG 12 gage at 8 on my Grand Dad’s farm. I taught both of my boys how to shoot 38 when they was in dippers. A 22 was all ways waiting at the Farm for them growing up. A BB gun was an extension of there arm on the ranch. At 16 they was given 22 Colt frontier Scouts. We all carried on the ranch in Oregon. Not one time did we ever have a problem with any thing don wrong. Gun Safety is One of the most important things you can teach a kid. My Grandkids now are undergoing training in it. Got an 18 year old that can out shoot my old butt! Very proud!
Correction: The youngster used the gun “negligently”. Not “accidentally”.
Unconditional stupid, it equates to a poll tax. Forces people who enjoy thier legally protected right to spend money buying storage to enjoy that right!
Exactly! Every one of these “regulations” is nothing but a poll tax on your constitutional rights. Where the hell is SCOTUS? Maybe that will change….we shall see