Geraldo Reyes Jr

I fully support Governor Lamont's new plan to combat gun violence in Waterbury and the rest of the state. On Monday, the governor invited me as he unveiled some of his proposals at the Waterbury Police Department. Even though Connecticut remains one of the safest states in the country, it is our responsibility to keep our homes and neighborhoods safe.

The proposal includes:

• Investing an additional $2.5 million in community violence intervention programs
• Banning the open carrying of firearms in public, while continuing to allow concealed carry with a permit except in some locations
• Limiting handgun purchases to one per month to discourage straw purchases
• Updating the state’s ban on unregistered “ghost guns” to stop their illegal flow.

Click here for more information on the governor's entire proposal.
 

This proposal continues our momentum on gun reform. Last year, the state budget included $6 million to fund community gun violence prevention.

There is no doubt that we cannot put enough money in our community resources that will save lives. This investment is putting Waterbury in the right direction as we hope to provide more opportunity for our children.

People in Black and Hispanic communities, like mine, are dying from gun violence every, single day. We need help to change this tragic cycle. Gun control reform is vital to stopping more tragedies in the near and distant future. I will encourage my colleagues in the House of Representatives, on both sides of the aisle, to back this legislation.

Please feel free to share your thoughts with me at geraldo.reyes@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860) 240-8500.