Blumenthal aims to take state gun law nationwide

Sen. Richard Blumenthal wants to take a Connecticut gun control law nationwide, but the prospects in Congress look dim.

News 12 Staff

Nov 18, 2019, 6:30 PM

Updated 1,620 days ago

Share:

Sen. Richard Blumenthal wants to take a Connecticut gun control law nationwide, but the prospects in Congress look dim.
The proposed law is named after Lori Jackson, an Oxford woman whose husband murdered her even though she had a temporary restraining order against him.
Because Jackson only had a temporary order, her husband Scott was still able to buy a gun.
Jackson's mother, Merry Jackson -- who was also shot, got the state to change the law after her daughter’s murder.
Someone named in a temporary protective order must immediately surrender their guns — and cannot buy new ones — until a judge holds a hearing. That must take place within days. Critics note that nearly a third of temporary orders are rejected by judges.
"If we could save a life, it would mean so much to me because you don't realize what a family goes through when something like this happens," Jackson said. "It doesn't go away."
Sen. Blumenthal will once again try to take that law national with advocates pushing Congress Monday to do so.
"The time of greatest rage and potential violence is when a husband, a significant other, a boyfriend, is told that she's leaving," Blumenthal says.
Blumenthal has tried to pass this law before, but with Republicans controlling the Senate, prospects look dim.
"If you could just go to the state of Rhode Island, less than two hours away and buy a weapon, it's really not offering the spectrum of protection that we would view as so critical," said Karen Jarmoc of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Holly Sullivan -- who is with the state's largest gun owners' group, Connecticut Citizens Defense League -- argues the law could be used to disarm women trying to protect themselves.
"For 20 million American women, we do choose to arm ourselves. A week without our firearm? That could be the difference between life or death," she said.
It’s not clear how many guns have been seized because of the law.


More from News 12
1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

2:29
Sunny and mild Friday for the Hudson Valley; tracking rain for Saturday

Sunny and mild Friday for the Hudson Valley; tracking rain for Saturday

0:48
President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

President Biden announces future opening of upstate microchip factory

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:17
Village of Walden police: Suspects found in connection to shots fired incident

Village of Walden police: Suspects found in connection to shots fired incident

0:21
Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

Rockland County DA: Haverstraw man pleads guilty in sexual abuse of 2 children

0:51
Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

Indian Point oversight board, Holtec discuss decommissioning options of former nuclear plant

0:47
State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

State police: DNA sample from human remains found does not match profile of missing Putnam teen

0:31
New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

New mural of Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige unveiled at Palisade Towers

0:35
Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

Police find evidence in burglary while investigating a domestic dispute in Monroe

0:30
Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Wake services held for the Westchester correction officer who died in Bronx River Parkway crash

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

Motorists encounter traffic delays, road closures in and around Irvington during President Joe Biden's visit

1:42
Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents

Newburgh senior housing manager asks city for help protecting residents

0:25
Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:24
Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

1:47
Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

0:26
Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze