This week, the federal court decided to uphold Connecticut's assault weapon ban. After last year alone, almost half of the states strengthened reform laws regarding gun control. The judges in Hartford said that the assult weapon ban balances the second ammendment and the Obama administration's push to reduce violence.
“The court concludes that the legislation is constitutional. While the act burdens the plaintiffs’ Second Amendment rights, it is substantially related to the important governmental interest of public safety and crime control,” U.S. District Judge Alfred Covello said.
The decision to uphold the assault weapon ban left pro-gun advocates upset to the point of suing the state last April. The court, however, rejected the argument. Brian Stapleton, who represented all of the plaintiffs, said, “The decision was not entirely unexpected, but disappointing nonetheless. I respect Judge Covello immensely, but I disagree with what he has decided. We are going to appeal.”
The ban of assault weapons took affect after the mass shooting in December of 2012 in Newtown, Conneticut that killed 26 people, (20 of which being first grade students). When the bill went into place, it required background check on all firearm purchases, as well as regulations for buying ammunition.
Almost 800 people under the age of 18 were killed by the use of guns after the Newtown shooting. Attorney General George Jepsen of Connecticut said, “We will continue to vigorously defend them in the event of any appeal that may be filed of this decision.”
Upholding the reform is a big decision on Connecticut's part. While the fundamental rights of the Bill of Rights are issued to the states, there are some exceptions. States have the right to decide the extent of the second amendment.
Upholding the reform is a big decision on Connecticut's part. While the fundamental rights of the Bill of Rights are issued to the states, there are some exceptions. States have the right to decide the extent of the second amendment.
In my opinion, banning assault weapons is a good but also bad thing. I believe that having gun control is key. If we allow people under the age or without a background check to have possession of a gun, the probability of violence would spike. The second amendment, however, says that citizens have the right to bare arms. While this bill is violating the amendment, it is for the better of the people. We are minimizing the chance of a spike in violence like that of the Newtown shooting.
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