Posted February 23, 2017 10:31 am by Comments

By Beth Baumann

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Earlier this month, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy made a shocking announcement: to make up for the state’s budget deficit, he would be drastically increasing the price of concealed carry applications.

Malloy suggested increasing permits from $70 to $300, a more than 420 percent increase and raising the initial 5-year pistol permit fee from $140 to $370, a more than 250 percent increase. In addition, Malloy wants to increase the background fee from $50 to $75. The fees associated with the proposed hike would be among the highest in the nation and according to the Office of Policy and Management estimates $9 million in new revenue from these increases.

Gun enthusiasts throughout the state believe the increased fees could discourage people from becoming new gun owners.

“Existing gun owners, they’ll suck it up and do what they have to do,” said Gary Lenk, the gunsmith at Newington Gun Exchange. “It’s new customers I’m worried about.”

For prospective gun buyers, the costs related to purchasing a weapon could be daunting. In addition to the proposed $300 five year permit fee, a resident would have to pay for a background check, a pistol safety course, and a local registration. All in, …Read the Rest

Source:: Bearing Arms

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