Connecticut Gun Bill: How Manchester Legislators Voted

This story was written by Patch Editors David Moran, John Fitts, Ronni Newton and Jessie Sawyer.

All five state legislators who represent Manchester voted yes to  on Connecticut's historic gun bill, which Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed into law at noon on Thursday.

State Sen. Steve Cassano and State Reps. Geoff Luxenberg, Jason Rojas, Timothy Larson and Joseph Diminico all voted in favor of passage for SB1160, An Act Concerning Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. All five are Democrats. 

The bill passed the State Senate Wednesday evening, approved by a vote of 26-10. The house version of the bill was passed at 2:26 a.m. 

In a statement released shortly after the senate's vote, Cassano said he voted for the bill because he thought it would improve school safety and mental health laws. 

“On balance I’d say this bill moves Connecticut forward in a way that increases public safety and does much to protect our children, whether they’re in elementary school or in college," Cassano said. "I am disappointed that private schools and child care centers are not provided the same protections, and I will work to find the necessary funds to provide that protection." 

According to the Hartford Courant, the final vote was 105 to 44, with two absent. Ninety-eight Democrats were present for the vote, the Courant reported, and 85 of them voted in favor while 13 were opposed. Of the 51 Republicans voting, 20 voted in favor of the bill and 31 were opposed, according to the Courant.

Public safety provisions in the bill include prohibiting the sale of any rifle or pistol magazine with a capacity of more than 10 rounds; expanding the definition of an "assault weapon"; requiring a permit to purchase ammunition; and prohibiting the storage of firearms and ammunition in a manner that allows access by persons under age 18, according to a press release from nearby State Sen. Beth Bye, who represents Farmington and West Hartford. She supported the public safety provisions, West Hartford Patch reported.

For the complete Senate vote as reported by the Courant, click here. The House vote tally according to the Courant can be found here.