Gov. Dannel Malloy wants to take guns away from people who have temporary restraining orders taken out against them.
The governor’s office announced Friday that Malloy would propose such legislation to state lawmakers later this month.
The proposal comes after Oxford resident Lori Jackson was murdered last year. Her estranged husband, Scott Gellatly, is accused of shooting her to death. Police said Gellatly also tried to kill his mother-in-law during the attack, which triggered a manhunt.
Jackson had a temporary restraining order against Gellatly before she was killed. She was scheduled to go to court May 8 — a day after she was killed — in order to make the temporary restraining order “permanent,” which would have stripped Gellatly of his weapons.
Gellatly has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court March 4 at 10 a.m.
Proponents of Malloy’s initiative said the Jackson case underlines the perils of taking out temporary restraining orders against those who hasveimmediate access to guns.
“If a judge determines that a victim is in enough danger that they should be granted a temporary restraining order, that victim should not have to wait until they are fully protected,” Malloy said in a prepared statement. “This is a commonsense proposal already enacted in many states across our country, and will protect against needless tragedy. It’s not a Democrat or Republican initiative – it is, simply, a logical one.”
U.S. Senators from Connecticut tried to get similar legislation passed on the federal level, but have not been successful.
Malloy’s statement said the person who takes out a restraining order is most vulnerable immediately after taking out the order.
“The governor’s proposal will require that individuals relinquish their firearms shortly after the judge’s temporary restraining order is issued, giving victims additional protection at this critical time,” the statement read.
The state averages 14 domestic violence killings a year “with firearms having been the most frequently used weapon in those murders,” according to Karen Jarmoc, chief executive of the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“The Office of the Victim Advocate is in full support of this proposed legislation and happy to stand with the Governor to advocate for its passage,” said Natasha Pierra, the state’s victim advocate. “Right here in Connecticut, we have seen examples where a victim’s life could have been saved if there was a requirement for firearms to be surrendered in cases dealing with temporary restraining orders. Closing this gap is vitally important for the safety of individuals trying to escape an abusive relationship.”
