Jillian Gilchrest

Gun Violence Survivors' Awareness Week

February 1^st through February 7^th is National Gun Violence Survivors’ week. This week we honor every survivor who must live with the trauma of gun violence every day. By February, more people in the United States are killed with guns than are killed with guns in other high-income countries in an entire year. 

While Connecticut still has ways to go with gun control, safety, and education, here are a few pieces of legislation that our state has passed throughout the past few years: 

• Ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines 

• Requirement for owners of pistols and revolvers to safely store their weapons somewhere inside the car any time they leave their gun in an unattended vehicle 

• “Ethan’s Law”: Requires all firearms, loaded and unloaded, to be safely stored in homes occupied by minors under 18 

• Ban on “ghost guns”, or homemade firearms, due to lack of inspection and serial number. Anyone who makes a firearm must register it with the state.  

Due to these pieces of legislation, Connecticut ranks 3^rd in the nation on gun control. However, there is still more work to be done.

 

According to the Gifford Law Center, Connecticut can improve gun safety by creating: 

• Safe storage requirements; 

• Bulk firearm purchase restrictions; 

• Handgun design safety standards; and 

• Microstamping requirements. 

This year, the legislature is working to continue its efforts in gun safety through proposals to fund gun violence prevention programs. 

 

This week, support gun violence survivors by sharing their stories on momentsthatsurvive.org with the hashtag #GVSurvivorsWeek. And continue to support our survivors throughout the year by educating yourself and your community about gun safety. https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/states/connecticut/

 

Healthcare Reform Forum 

Yesterday, Connecticut state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, State Representatives Kate Farrar, and I, held a community forum about health care to hear from constituents on the values and principles state leaders should use to create a more equitable health care system in Connecticut. 
 
The discussion also focused on how COVID-19 has impacted working families and the role a robust public option health insurance program can improve the health care system, as well as legislation that is in development to create a public option. The proposal, which has yet to be assigned a bill number, would accomplish the following:

• Establishes public health care options to allow Connecticut's small businesses, nonprofits, and unions to access affordable, high-quality health insurance by leveraging negotiating power and existing programs of the state employee health plan;

• Expands coverage to make Connecticut's healthcare system moreequitable by expanding eligibility for Medicaid (HUSKY) and expanding health insurance options for undocumented individuals and families who are shut out of the health care market;

• Ensures health insurance products are affordable and high-qualityby addressing high-deductible health insurance plans and lowering out-of-pocket expenses; and

• Increases financial assistance to make insurance more affordable byexpanding subsidies for the individual market and lowering premium out-of-pocket costs for middle-class Connecticut families

 

DMV Online License Renewal Process

 

We’ve all felt the frustration of having to wait in line at the DMV to renew a driver’s license or access other DMV services.
 
Thankfully, the State announced today that in the coming weeks, you will be able to renew your driver’s license, obtain your driving history, or change your address all online and from the comfort of your home.
 
This is part of the State’s efforts to modernize state government and add convenience for the consumer.

Today’s announcement expands and builds upon the pilot program for online driver’s license renewal initially rolled out by the DMV in November 2020. More than 20,000 individuals have already successfully renewed their driver's license or non-driver ID cards online within the last 45 days.
 
Eligible residents will receive an invitation by mail or email to complete their transaction online and make an electronic payment via credit or debit card and receive their license or non-driver ID by mail within 20 days.
 
It is important to note that this expansion of online services does not mean that these services will not also be available in-person at DMV and AAA offices and locations throughout the state.
 
This announcement is welcome news at any time, but it is especially critical during the pandemic.
 
All of the DMV’s services can be found online at ct.gov/dmv.