Tagged: Gun Control

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A gun buyback program that began last month in Connecticut's biggest city has netted more than 500 weapons, including several dozen assault-style weapons.

Bridgeport city officials say more than $150,000 has been donated in the form of cash and grocery store gift cards to buy guns back from people.

The latest session of the program is taking place on Saturday and Mayor Bill Finch says it will continue for as long as necessary.

Police are offering up to $200 for a working handgun and $75 for rifles.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The National Rifle Association says the secret negotiations and lightning-fast passage of New York's tough new gun control laws squelched the powerful gun lobby's ability to mount opposition.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he had to engineer quick enactment to prevent a counterproductive buying spree of now-outlawed guns.

The legislation was introduced and signed into law in less than two days.

A new poll finds voters overwhelming support for many of the items that Governor Andrew Cuomo is pushing, including parts of the newly enacted gun control law.  

Steve Greenberg, with Siena College, says the poll asked voters whether they wanted New York to have the strongest anti gun laws in the nation, including banning assault weapons and outlawing magazine clips that hold more than seven bullets.   Greenberg says the measures have broad support, at 73% to 26%.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut officials are welcoming President Barack Obama's sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence following the deadly shooting at Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a Democrat, credited the president on Wednesday with taking "the critical first step" in making sure such a tragedy does not happen again. Malloy said the president has offered "common sense measures" that "we should all be able to agree on."