Linares - Permit Fee Hike Attempt to Tax Away Second Amendment Rights

State Senator Art Linares (R-33) today said Governor Malloy’s proposal to increase the gun permitting fee by more than 400 percent is really an attempt to tax away Connecticut residents’ Second Amendment rights.

“This proposal accomplishes two of the Governor’s goals,” Sen. Linares said. “It helps him squeeze even more money out of honest Connecticut taxpayers and it makes it more difficult, if not impossible, for some residents to legally own a firearm.”

Under the proposal, the fee for a first-time permit would increase from $140 to $370 and the five-year renewal fee would increase from $70 to $300. Additionally, background check fees would also increase from $50 to $75.

Sen. Linares said one of the questions the proposal raises is what would happen to current, legal firearm owners if they aren’t able to afford the renewal fee. Would the owner be forced to sell or give away the firearm?

“How much time would a person have to raise the money for the renewal fee or relinquish their weapon before they are considered a criminal?” Sen. Linares asked. “Because, as it stands, this proposal could turn law-abiding citizens into criminals because they don’t have enough money.”

Sen. Linares said that he and several other legislators have a problem with the bill and its backdoor attempt to curtail the Second Amendment. He plans to work with those legislators to make certain the bill doesn’t pass.

Sen. Linares represents the communities of Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.