Gov. Lamont touts expansion of Connecticut’s ‘red flag’ gun law - used 2,600 times - as lawmakers weigh national law

As federal lawmakers weigh helping states with red flag rules that allow a person’s guns to be temporarily seized, Gov. Ned Lamont touted Connecticut’s long-running law that was expanded June 1.

At a news conference Tuesday outside the Windsor Police Department with gun safety advocates, Windsor police Chief Donald Melanson said the law has been a great help for police.

“This is an important tool for law enforcement — to be able to take guns away from those that have shown that they shouldn’t be having guns, especially during times of crisis, domestic violence, those types of things,’’ Melanson said.

The law, which allows firearms to be taken from troubled gun owners who are suicidal or in danger of hurting others, was expanded recently to allow family members and medical professionals to raise a “red flag” that would provide evidence to a Superior Court judge to issue a risk protection order and seize firearms. The expansion now includes concerns raised by household members and professionals such as doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, clinical social workers and physician assistants.

Previously, the law that started in 1999 allowed only a prosecutor or any two police officers to file a complaint with a judge in order to have a person’s guns removed. Only a judge can order the actual seizure of the guns.

The wider definition of family members in the law now includes complaints by parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, children, stepchildren and grandchildren, among others. The bill also includes roommates and dating or intimate partners.

Those living with a person may have more firsthand knowledge than a police officer or prosecutor regarding a person’s state of mind at the time, lawmakers said. Depending on the circumstances, the order could be signed within “minutes or half an hour” in order to help a suicidal person who has access to firearms, according to Rep. Steven Stafstrom, a Bridgeport Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s judiciary committee.

Jeremy Stein, a former prosecutor who serves as executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, told reporters that his uncle was a U.S. Marine veteran who suffered from depression.

“He refused to get help, but he also refused to give up his gun,’' Stein said in Windsor. “He took his own life. ... My uncle may be alive today’' if a risk protection warrant had taken away his gun.

Connecticut was the first state in the nation to adopt the law nearly 25 years ago after a 35-year-old state lottery employee shot and killed four senior lottery officials before killing himself. Since Connecticut’s law was enacted, at least 19 other states and Washington, D.C. have adopted similar laws and have pulled ahead of Connecticut, lawmakers said.

Lamont used the opportunity to criticize the Republican lieutenant governor candidate for voting against the changes in a preview of one of the hottest issues of the gubernatorial campaign.

Lamont noted that state Rep. Laura Devlin of Fairfield voted last year against expanding the law. The measure passed by 93-55 in the state House of Representatives with all but two Republicans voting against the final bill.

“It’s disappointing,’' Lamont said as he stood with police officers and advocates outside the Windsor police department headquarters. “You’ll have to ask her why she doesn’t want a stronger red flag law. It saves lives.’'

But Devlin responded that Lamont was distorting her record. She voted with many Republicans for an earlier, bipartisan amendment that had strong support, but she voted against the final version of the bill along with four House Democrats.

“I support Connecticut’s gold standard red flag laws, which is why I joined the bipartisan vote against a law that would weaken them,” Devlin said. “Why is it so hard for Governor Lamont to be honest with the people of Connecticut? My voting record shows strong support for common sense gun laws. This bill didn’t strengthen our red flag laws, it weakened them, and put lives at risk, which is why I and many of my Democrat colleagues voted against it.’'

Republicans and Democrats have disagreed over the impact of the law.

“My concern about this bill was that it put lives at risk, making it harder for law enforcement to do their job, to protect those who are a danger to themselves and others,’' Devlin said. “Any delay in intervention puts people with mental health concerns or fear of violence at greater risk. This bill provides law enforcement with less information than they would have under existing law. I believe that early intervention and letting law enforcement do their job is better than muddying an already very strong red flag law for political grandstanding.’'

She added, “I am extremely disappointed in Governor Lamont for distorting my record and those of my bipartisan colleagues who joined me in voting against this legislation.”

“Whether it’s Bob Stefanowski or his running mate Laura Devlin, one thing is clear–the National Rifle Association has strong allies in both,” said Lamont campaign spokesman Jake Lewis. “Red flag laws are proven to save lives and prevent tragedies. The safety of Connecticut communities are only as strong as our policies and Rep. Laura Devlin opposed strengthening seizure laws that prevent dangerous individuals from purchasing new firearms. Just as Bob promised when he proudly received the NRA’s endorsement in 2018, together he and his running mate will oppose anything that makes it tougher on gun owners.”

But police and advocates who gathered Tuesday sided with Lamont regarding the upgraded law.

Former state Rep. Michael Lawlor, a Democrat who served as the co-chairman of the judiciary committee, said that the original “red flag’' law was signed into law by Republican Gov. John G. Rowland in 1999. The measure had been crafted by Republican Rep. Arthur O’Neill and others in bipartisan fashion.

Since then, more than 2,600 warrants have been issued to take guns away, and the numbers increased after the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007 and the shooting deaths of 20 schoolchildren and six educators at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in 2012. The number of guns that have been seized has increased through the years.

“It has withstood the test of time,’' Lawlor said. “It’s an effective law.’'

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com