On the eve of Connecticut’s gubernatorial election, Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont is offering something of a signal to his state’s gun owners by indicating he would ultimately like to ban all modern semiautomatic rifles, including those originally “grandfathered” years ago under a ban on so-called “assault weapons.”
According to the CT Insider, Lamont said last week, “I think those assault-style weapons that are grandfathered should not be grandfathered…They should not be allowed in the state of Connecticut. I think they’re killers.”
Lamont is being challenged by Republican Bob Stefanowski in a literal rematch. In 2018, Lamont beat Stefanowski to succeed former Gov. Dan Malloy.
Does Lamont’s admission suggest Democrats will continue pushing for total bans on certain firearms? Lamont appeared to back away from his remarks, the story noted, by saying he hadn’t discussed legislation with state lawmakers. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t planning to have that conversation following the election.
When quizzed about how he might rid the state of such firearms currently owned legally, he responded, “Start by making them illegal. I think that would be a big difference. That is what you start with.”
The story quoted Mark Oliva, managing director of public affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which is based in Newtown, CT.
“I’m sure it’s a great talking point for the governor in Connecticut,” Oliva said. “It’s no surprise that the governor continues to boogie man law-abiding gun owners.”
Btu Lamont’s comments raise questions not just about him, but other Democrats who are running for re-election or seeking office. Can any of them be trusted when they profess “support” for the Second Amendment?
Writing at The Truth About Guns, Rob Morse—host of the Self-Defense Gun Stories Podcast and co-host of the Polite Society Podcast—went down a list of Democrat politicians, looking at their positions on guns.
Democrats traditionally are prime sponsors of gun control legislation at the state and federal levels.
Gun control is on the ballot this year, both officially and as a shadow issue.
Oregon voters will determine the fate of an extremist ballot measure (see related story) which will, if passed, require state residents to obtain purchase permits and get training to purchase firearms.
Elsewhere, many “gun voters” see the only way to derail Joe Biden’s gun control agenda is to elect a Republican Congress. At this writing, polls were leaning toward a Republican “red wave” that might even help the GOP capture a Senate majority, thus stopping Biden’s gun ban efforts cold.
The results of races across the country will determine the direction of gun legislation, which is why millions of gun owners are either preparing to vote, or have already voted and are encouraging their fellow gun owners to likewise cast ballots.
