Connecticut lawmakers to skip regular legislative process on gun control

Not as bad as New York, but the Connecticut General Assembly says it will use an “emergency certification” process to skip committee hearings on proposed legislation, leaving the public no voice when it comes to commentary on specific legislation.

There is no friggin’ emergency here, rather gun control Democrats and Republicans are being bullied by Assembly leadership and the governor’s office. From The Hartford Courant.

Four public hearings on the Newtown school massacre have generated an historic outpouring of ideas, drama and dispute. The next step for the legislative task force is to distill that information, much of it contradictory, into a bill that state legislative leaders want to pass by Feb. 28.

With the self-imposed deadline fewer than four weeks away, the General Assembly must work at what will be lightning speed for the legislative body to accomplish its goal.

To meet the deadline, lawmakers will bypass the normal system of legislative committee deliberations and hearings by using the emergency certification, or “e-cert” process. State Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams said that’s been the intention from the moment lawmakers formed the Bipartisan Task Force On Gun Violence Prevention And Children’s Safety two weeks ago.

They are doing this because emotions run high on the control side of the argument, but they have not been provided with good information by the governor, representatives or the media. A large percentage of people in the state do not understand firearms, and the gun control crowd are taking advantage of this fact.

There is no reason to push legislation through in the next 26 days. There is no emergency. Those demanding gun control do not know the facts.

Posted in ,

Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

32 Comments

  1. JBS on February 2, 2013 at 8:42 am

    This is a sad day for the liberty loving people of Connecticut.
    ?
    We are being subjected to another mortal wound of legislative malpractice.
    ?
    ?



  2. Betheona on February 2, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Ooooooh Goood morning my supportive friends….the governor’s office don’t have shit to do with this. The legislators are a separate “branch of government”…they make our laws, not the governor (executive branch)..we “blew up” their phones so bad, that they decided to do an emergency “cert” process so that no-one can enter the committee meetings on certain legislation….that’s okay…my inner-city friends, you have the emails to “all” the committee meetings….show up any dam way! We will give their asses “fever” you’re not going to “bully” us out of the process! Keep blowing their dam phones up…..we will show up every day next week! We will continue to do this throughout this session “every day” until June 2013! See this is what happens when all communities get involved…we will not stop….pass this message on to everyone you know.. Take a day off work and just show up!

    [Edited by admin. Please read the Terms of Use concerning ALL CAPS (I fixed it) and do watch your language. Welcome to RVO.]
    ?



    • Betheona on February 2, 2013 at 10:44 am

      thank you….I apologize..i was angry, but i will use better choice words…sorry again….



    • Oplawjag on February 3, 2013 at 11:24 am

      So … Betheona … We are assured then that our good Governor will veto all of the legislative insanity surrounding the burgeoning firearms witch hunt? ?Forgive me if ?I am less than confident. ?As far as I can see, it is war on the Second Amendment in the State of Connecticut. ?Logic, facts, sound legislative process, and the Constitution seem to have little importance for the inquisitors who see a prime opportunity to disarm the populace. ?Make no mistake about it. ?The agenda is not public safety, but rather public subjugation. ? The worst is yet to come …. ?Hang in there, Steve!



  3. Lynn on February 2, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Oh, my



  4. Plainvillian on February 2, 2013 at 9:36 am

    One party rule leads to totalitarianism.? We have a despotic troika in Malloy, Looney, and Williams.? Is there any doubt they and their acolytes will all be reelected?? Either the people of Corrupticut disdain freedom or are ignorant of history’s lessons.



  5. Betheona on February 2, 2013 at 10:47 am

    It’s not “Mallloy”…It’s folks like “Williams”, “Kane”,? and “McKinney”….It’s the “Legislature” period! “Malloy” only enforces what the “legislature” passes….



    • once was on February 2, 2013 at 8:09 pm

      It is not “the Legislture period”.? The Governor either signs a bill into law or vetoes it.? He is just as responsible for new laws as the legislature if he allows it to take effect.? The only way the legislature is solely responsible is if it overrides?a governor’s veto.? And, in this state,? it’s the Democrats who have the votes to pass anything they want so, watch out.



    • Betheona on February 3, 2013 at 9:09 am

      Yes, he has the choice to either sign a bill into law or veto it..However, if he does “veto” the bill it goes back to the Legislature (house/senate) for a vote. If there is a 2/3 vote, the bill becomes law….The power is in the Legislature! Once again, the Governor is the “enforcer” of the laws passed by the legislature. He is the “head” of the Executive Branch of Government (all state agencies – they enforce the laws)…..The Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch are the?three separate branches of Government – each having separate powers….This is why I keep trying to tell certain folks that Governor Malloy’s strong background (Prosecutor/Mayor) makes him a “heck of a strong leader” for this state…and he has proven to be the best enforcer/leader for this state!? That’s a fact jack! Give him his props!….You guys keep “yelling” and “protesting” negatively at the Governor when you should be “yelling”, “screaming” and “holding signs” in the Legislative Office Building…..They are the one’s making “drastic” decisions on your way of life! Not Danny boy! What you should be doing is “embracing” Dan…One day you will when you get a better understanding of the Three Branches of…



    • Steve McGough on February 4, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Look, “once was” is very familiar with the legislative process and has first-hand knowledge of how the governor can be and often is “the lead” when it comes to legislation that is proposed and pushed on through the process.



  6. ricbee on February 2, 2013 at 10:54 am

    Corrupticut is sinking farther into the deep blue.



  7. wildcat on February 2, 2013 at 11:52 am

    “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote”.?

    “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty”.
    Ben Franklin
    ?



  8. joe_m on February 2, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    The Battle of Athens (sometimes called the McMinn County War) was a rebellion led by citizens in Athens and Etowah, Tennessee, United States, against the local government in August 1946.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Athens_(1946)
    All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
    The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion
    ?



  9. Betheona on February 3, 2013 at 9:22 am

    Once again folks…..my point….as I stated above…please note, Dan’s name is not mentioned here…it say’s lawmakers (legislatures = senators/representatives)….https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151381368324197&set=a.66695409196.65915.53108014196&type=1&theater



    • JBS on February 4, 2013 at 9:18 am

      Dan??? Embrace Danny? (Would you like a moment together?)
      Cut out of the same bolt of cloth as Obama, Dan’l P, has overseen the destruction of this state’s economy, pandered to the state employees’ unions, giving away bonded millions to rich corporations for a promise of some kinda jobs in ten years time, the Magic Bus, forestall federal corruption investigations, undermine the Freedom of Information Act, the largest state tax hike in history(!), another budget deficit . . . the list goes on and on, and on, much to the detriment of Connecticut. He is the one who capitalized on the Democrat gun hysteria in Connecticut with his Dec. 16th call for more gun control.
      A leader? LOL Partisan politician is more the truth. His eye is on a job in Washington; Connecticut is collateral Democrat damage. Transportation, perhaps?
      And, then there’s the Legislature . . . ugh!



    • Steve McGough on February 4, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Is this really your argument?



    • Betheona on February 4, 2013 at 11:41 am

      Well, Steve, you really don’t have an argument either….It’s folks like “once was” that twist things up causing folks to believe and see things their way…I’m sorry, I agree in part with you and disagree in part with you….You can’t force folks to believe you. Your his statements are not accurate…
      ?



  10. kateinmaine on February 3, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    guess it’s time to demand a statewide referendum.? this is something that gov’t cannot adequately handle without marginalizing/disenfranchising a significant portion of the tax-paying base/electorate.? that will also afford a ‘cooling down’ period.



  11. once was on February 4, 2013 at 9:09 am

    It takes more to understand the process than knowing that there are three branches of Government.? The Governor actually may propose legisltion but his name is never mention on a bill when it comes before the legislature.??Only legislators name appear on proposed bills.? Even if those bills are proposed by the Governor, and many are.? Additionally, the Governor can strong arm legislators to support his agenda by denying funding for pet projects or pressuring committees to kill pet bills.?? So the Governor has more to say about what passes and what doesn’t than you may think.?



  12. Betheona on February 4, 2013 at 9:22 am

    Yes, he proposes bills..shoot, i can contact my local reps and asked that they propose a specific bill….but it doesn’t mean that it will fly or even make the table…it’s all about special interest…but the power is within the “legislature”…Yes, he has a strong arm, but we works with the Legislature…He’s not this “big bully” that you’re portaying him to be…You have some “serious” bullys in the “legislature”…and for the record, I do understand the process…more than you think…I will leave the rest to?you….all i can say is 2/3 vote!
    ?



  13. Dimsdale on February 4, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Martial lawlessness: the path to tyranny.
    ?
    Talk about never letting a catastrophe go to waste….



  14. Betheona on February 4, 2013 at 11:37 am

    Well you look Steve, that’s probably why his name is “once-was”…However, like i stated, I “very” familiar with the Governor’s role and his position in the legislative process…what i delivered above is only the basics…”once-was” is not 100% accurate either…”agree to disagree”!



  15. Betheona on February 4, 2013 at 11:42 am

    pardon the spelling, i’m speedtyping…



    • Oplawjag on February 4, 2013 at 11:59 am

      It’s understandable, Betheona … Mistakes are often made when one is in a hurry! ?Wait a minute …… ?Is there a parallel to our legislature here??? ?Hmmmmmm … Maybe we should step back and take the time to think this through …. Naaahhhhhhh ……



  16. Steve McGough on February 4, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I can’t comprehend why you’re arguing about this. I think we’re on the same side, and it’s the state leadership in both the Executive and Legislative branches that we have to reach out to … along with our friends and neighbors. I never said we had to be focused on one or the other, it’s the stupid legislation itself we need to expose for what it is … worthless and feel good.



  17. once was on February 4, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Amen!



  18. Lynn on February 4, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    Yes, and thank you Steve for keeping the work of the General Assembly (legislature) and the executive branch in the light of day. Eliminating committe hearings is a serious enfringement of our rights as citizens. Although having attended these hearings in the past, I have never thought the majority on a committee paid any attention to a citizen’s opinion. I have the highest regard for many in our General Assembly, but most are robotic parrots following orders. Term limits could correct this, but why would legislators give up their power?



  19. sammy22 on February 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    Once again I agree w/ Lynn. Why indeed, would the legislators give up their power. One can rant-and-rave, but they still make the rules (and we elect them to do so).



  20. Mark on February 4, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    Has any good piece of legislation ever come out of a process like this??



    • JBS on February 5, 2013 at 7:21 am

      No. This is the gun grabbers chance to ban guns.
      It is a golden opportunity for grandstanding politicians to “do something”, no matter how wrong, to placate the timid ninnies and monied Liberals who donate to them.



  21. Linda Mae on February 5, 2013 at 12:15 am

    Let’s support Mr. Stevens of Newtown…
    Steven Cournoyer
    Pretty cool!

    <div class="_8m…



  22. Linda Mae on February 5, 2013 at 12:17 am


lego-toy-gun

The website's content and articles were migrated to a new framework in October 2023. You may see [shortcodes in brackets] that do not make any sense. Please ignore that stuff. We may fix it at some point, but we do not have the time now.

You'll also note comments migrated over may have misplaced question marks and missing spaces. All comments were migrated, but trackbacks may not show.

The site is not broken.