Marilyn Moore

Senator Moore Calls For Creation
Of A Gun Violence Task Force

HARTFORD,
CT – Today, Senator Marilyn
Moore (D-Bridgeport) sent the following letter
to Governor Ned Lamont calling for the creation of a Gun Violence Task Force to look into the frequent gun violence seen in some cities throughout Connecticut.

Dear
Governor Lamont,

I’m
writing to you today to request the creation of a Gun Violence Task Force to address the major concerns regarding the rampant gun violence in my hometown of Bridgeport and around the state of Connecticut.

On
the heels of the passage of three major gun safety bills passed by the General Assembly, ones that will assist in protecting children who are in a house that has firearms, not allow a gun to be in an unlocked car, and ban ghost guns, I believe more needs to
be done. Connecticut experienced 233 murders with firearms between 2013 and 2017 according to the Department Emergency Service and Public Protection with Hartford having the highest number of murders. During that same period there were 3,392 armed robberies
and 2,687 aggravated assaults. All these crimes included the use of a firearm.

I
applaud the passage of the bills mentioned earlier by my colleagues in the General Assembly and voted for them, but I believe this task force will help create long term and needed changes to tackle ongoing and senseless gun violence that plagues our urban
communities. Too many times I have heard from constituents or read the news of another act of gun violence around our state from people of all ages. I fear the longer we go without seriously addressing this problem the longer it will continue and young lives
will be lost.

Our
focus must shift to the communities most impacted by these crimes such as Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford and Waterbury where weapons are trafficked and used. When someone is a victim of gun violence it isn’t just that one individual who is affected.
It’s families, friends, neighbors and the community at large. We must do everything we can to protect our residents and hold those responsible accountable.

I
request that you create this Gun Violence Task Force and help law enforcement and our communities across Connecticut make long term change to protect our families and friends.

Sincerely,

Marilyn
M. Moore

State
Senator, 22nd
Senate District