Politics & Government

New London Man Files First Legal Challenge Against Connecticut Gun Laws

Scott Ennis, founder of Disabled Americans for Firearms Rights, challenges laws signed into effect by Gov. Dannel Malloy last week.


Article written and reported by Dirk Langeveld 

A New London resident and the organization he founded have filed the state's first legal challenge of Connecticut's new gun laws.

Scott Ennis, founder of Disabled Americans for Firearms Rights, announced that he will be filing a lawsuit against Gov. Dannel Malloy to challenge parts of the laws. The laws, which were enacted by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed by Malloy last week, have been described as some of the toughest in the nation.

Ennis said the lawsuit has not been filed in court or served, but that it has been delivered to a marshal to be served on Malloy through the Attorney General's Office per state law.

Both Ennis and DAFR are named as plaintiffs in the suit, while Malloy is listed as the sole defendant.

Scott D. Camassar, the attorney representing DAFR, said the laws do not place enough emphasis on school safety or mental health issues and constrain law-abiding gun owners. 

"Disabled individuals have unique needs when it comes to lawful use of firearms, whether it be recreational or competitive shooting, hunting, home defense, or personal self-defense, and they rely on safe, customizable firearms like the AR-15 in order to effectively participate in these lawful activities," Camassar said. "Cosmetic features like forward grips and adjustable stocks do not make a rifle more lethal, nor do factory-standard magazines that hold more than 10 bullets."

Malloy and the Connecticut General Assembly moved to strengthen the state's gun laws after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14. The shooter killed his mother before traveling to the school and killing 20 students and seven adults, including himself. An AR-15 was used in the shootings at the school.

According to the New York Times, the laws include background checks for all firearms sales and the establishment of a dangerous weapon offender registry. The laws also expand the state's assault weapons ban, forbidding the future sale of guns with magazines holding more than 10 bullets.

The Connecticut Senate passed the measures in a 26-10 vote on April 3, while the Connecticut House of Representatives approved them in a 105-44 vote on Thursday. Malloy signed the legislation into law the same day.

According to the DAFR website, the organization has about 14,350 members nationwide, including 1,134 in Connecticut. Its goals include introducing firearms for defense to disabled citizens, organizing shooting programs and competitions for disabled citizens, determining the impact of legislation on firearms rights, and educating public officials on the "unique needs" that disabled gun owners have regarding Second Amendment rights.

In January testimony before the Connecticut Gun Violence Task Force, Ennis said he is a hemophiliac who owns an AR-15 rifle for home defense and sport shooting. Ennis said his condition affects his joints and prevents him from using a rifle or shotgun. Ennis also said that the AR-15 includes features such as a pistol grip and adjustable stock that make it easier for people with physical disabilities to use.

The lawsuit says the ban "unfairly and arbitrarily" deprives disabled Connecticut residents of adjustable and customizable weapons that they would be able to use more easily. 

It also protests the limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, saying the provision is "vague, ambiguous, and unfairly and arbitrarily deprives law-abiding disabled citizens, including the plaintiffs and members of DAFR, of their fundamental right to bear arms, including participation in shooting sports, hunting, and lawful self-defense, in that 'large capacity magazines' are convenient and necessary for disabled persons such as the plaintiffs to participate in these lawful activities."

The lawsuit asks for a declaratory judgment stating that the laws violate the plaintiffs' rights and that a temporary restraining order as well as preliminary and permanent injunctions be issued against the enforcement and implementation of the laws.


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