RUTHFULLY YOURS

The strict state gun-control law enacted in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting is at the center of Connecticut’s hotly contested governor’s race, raising the election to a national profile as outside groups inject large infusions of cash.

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Dan Malloy signed the law in April 2013 requiring background checks and banning many models of assault-style weapons and large ammunition magazines.

Second Amendment defenders say if Malloy wins another term, he will support even more “draconian” measures, including a registration requirements that could enable systematic confiscation of weapons.

His opponent, Republican Thomas Foley, a former ambassador to Ireland and private equity investor, has vowed to sign a repeal of the bill if elected. Foley contends the response to the 2012 Newtown shooting that killed 20 first-graders and six staff members should focus on access to mental health treatment.

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Malloy has received $1.7 million from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg while Foley has received millions from the Republican Governors Association, chaired by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Strict gun-control laws also were passed in Maryland, New York and Colorado in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting, drawing the protests of sheriffs, including a majority in New York and Colorado.

Michelle Obama campaigned in the state for Malloy this week, and President Obama is scheduled to arrive Sunday as gun-control advocates campaign around the clock, targeting female voters, particularly mothers.

The gubernatorial matchup is a repeat of 2010, when Malloy defeated Foley by just 6,400 votes. Malloy was expected to improve his margin of victory this time, but the gun-control issue has given life to Foley, putting him in the lead in many polls over the course of the campaign.

Among the further restrictions Democrats have proposed, according to Second Amendment activists, are:

1. Registration of all firearms, including rifles and shotguns, which opponents claim is a prelude to confiscation.
2. Banning the future sale of handguns that don’t incorporate smart-gun technology, including fingerprint recognition.
3. Require serial numbers to be etched on all bullets sold in Connecticut.
4. Requiring for all gun owners to purchase firearms-specific liability insurance coverage, which can amount to thousands of dollars, effectively making it impossible for many to own a weapon.

“These draconian measures would not have prevented the carnage at Sandy Hook nor will they impact criminal elements in society,” said Jeffrey Epstein, president and founder of the Connecticut-based activist group America’s Truth Forum. “Clearly, Malloy is conspiring to move us closer toward civil disarmament, turning otherwise law-abiding citizens into felons or, worse, defenseless victims in their homes.”

As WND reported, the gun-control law passed in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting had an April 15 deadline for owners to register certain firearms considered by the state to be “assault” weapons. It effectively made the 350,000 who didn’t register by the deadline felons.

Frank Miniter, in a column for Forbes.com, said he asked a number of gun owners in New York and Connecticut how they are responding to the new laws.

“Speaking to them was like talking to people who’ve always thought of themselves as good citizens but who nevertheless find themselves in an untenable position in the ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave,’ as Francis Scott Key described America,” he wrote.

One gun owner told Miniter he has “four friends who have either bought homes or property out of Connecticut or are shopping hard.”

“This issue was the final straw for them,” the gun owner said.

Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, told WND in an interview in April “the revolt is under way” was tens of thousands of people in Connecticut intentionally missed the deadline.

“They are not registering. Some of them actually said they would not when they were at the hearing when the law was being considered in the legislature,” he said.