Members and 2nd Amendment supporters are needed participate at the Judiciary Committee Public Hearing on March 11th, 2019 at 10 A.M. in Room 2C at the Legislative Office Building (LOB), 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT. This is a grassroots effort to have our voice heard. It’s important to show lawmakers we are here and staying vigilant about protecting our rights. We anticipate this hearing to last all day and into the night. Your attendance is needed!
Public Hearing Agenda
SUBJECT MATTER: Firearms
Oppose: S.B. No. 60 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESENTATION OF A CARRY PERMIT.
Oppose: H.B. No. 7218 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS IN THE HOME.
Oppose: H.B. No. 7219 AN ACT CONCERNING GHOST GUNS.
Oppose: H.B. No. 7223 AN ACT CONCERNING THE STORAGE OF A PISTOL OR REVOLVER IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.
Support: S.B. No. 940 AN ACT AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PERSONS TO CARRY HANDGUNS IN STATE PARKS AND STATE FORESTS.
Support: H.B. No. 5227 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS BY MUNICIPALITIES.
Support: H.B. No. 5870 AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSFER OF ASSAULT WEAPONS AND LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES.
There are three main ways to participate in the hearing:
- Attend the public hearing, submit written testimony and testify in person.
- Submit written testimony without attending the public hearing.
- Attend the hearing without testifying, show law makers that we are engaged.
- Attend the public hearing, submit written testimony and testify in person
Members are encouraged to give oral and written testimony
- Where should I park? Free visitor parking is available on the first floor and basement of the Legislative Office Garage located at the Legislative Office Building (LOB), 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT. Parking is limited, carpooling and allowing additional time to park is highly recommended.
- How is the speaking order determined? Speaking order will be determined by a lottery system. Lottery numbers will be drawn from 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. in Room 2500 of the LOB.
- What if I can’t make it there until after 9:30 A.M. but I still want to speak? Speakers arriving after the completion of the lottery will have their names placed at the end of the speaker list. Reminder: If you’re unable to sign up BEFORE the start of the hearing, speakers may add their names to the bottom of the speaker list ANYTIME during the hearing.
- Where is Room 2500? The Judiciary Committee offices are located in Room 2500 on the second floor of the LOB. Go up the escalators, take a left and go down the first hallway on your right. CCDL members will be there to guide you.
- What if I can’t make it there until the evening or later and still wish to speak? As long as there is an active public hearing the LOB is open. Speakers may add their names to the bottom of the speaker list ANYTIME during the hearing. The speaker list will be on the podium inside the hearing room, just inside the entrance to the room. CCDL members will be there to help direct you.</li?
- Do I need to print my testimony or bring copies of my testimony? Yes, if possible, please submit 60 copies of your written testimony to the Committee staff no later than 9:00 A.M. in Room 2500 of the LOB. Testimony received after the 9:00 A.M. may not be distributed until after the hearing. BUT this is not necessary, if you submit your testimony via email well in advance, often legislators prefer to reference your written testimony while you’re speaking.Tip: Print a few extra copies for your Senator and Representative.
- How do I email or submit my testimony electronically? Email your written testimony in Word or PDF format to JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov a day or two before the hearing. Also, Email or drop off a copy of your written testimony to your State Senator and State Representative.
- Should I contact my Senator and Representative while I’m at the LOB? Yes, it is highly recommended that you make a copy of your testimony and drop it off at your Senator and Representatives office during the course of the day. It’s important for them to know their constituents are in the building testifying.Tip: leave your cell number when you drop off your testimony. Ask to meet with them when they are available to talk about why you’re testifying today.
- Will there be food? Yes, the LOB has a cafeteria open until 2 P.M. or a grab-and-go service until 4 P.M. Vending machines are also located on the first floor.Tip: Pack some snacks.
- What time will I testify? The first hour of the hearing is reserved for legislators, constitutional officers and other officials. After the first hour the committee will start to call the speakers in the order determined by the lottery. The hearing will go ALL day long and possibly into the late evening or even later. You may have to wait a very long time to testify.Tip: Bring a charger.
- How long will the hearing last? Public hearings on firearms can last a long time, often past midnight. Please plan for a long day. You may wish sign up and if your number to speak is later you may wish leave and return later.Tip: Leave your information with another CCDL member that is staying and can alert you when they’re calling 15 to 30 speakers ahead of you (depending on how far away you are).
- What do I do when it’s my turn to speak? When your name is called, go to the speaker’s desk in front. Begin with “Distinguished members of the Judiciary Committee.” State your name and the town you reside in. State the bill number and title of the bill for which you are testifying on. Clearly state if you support or oppose the bills, then start your testimony. When you finish wait to see in any committee members have a question.
- How long will I have to speak? You will have 3 minutes to speak. A timer will sound after the 3 minutes. Wrap up your testimony and wait to see if any committee members have any questions. A public hearing is an important step in the legislative process. This is a formal hearing with a decorum. Please be courteous to other speakers, staff and legislators, regardless of their views. Do not applaud or indicate verbal pleasure or displeasure when others are speaking.
- Submit written testimony without attending the public hearing
It is very important to submit testimony even if you can’t attend the hearing. Legislators need to hear from us. Don’t think others will protect your rights.
- How do I email or submit my testimony electronically? Email your written testimony in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov a day or two before the hearing. Email a copy of your written testimony to your State Senator and State Representative.
- Attend the hearing without testifying, show law makers that we are engaged
- Where should I park? Free visitor parking is available on the first floor and basement of the Legislative Office Garage located at the Legislative Office Building (LOB), 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT
- When should I come? Public hearings on firearms can last a long time, often past midnight. Please plan for a long day. You may wish to come later in the evening or later, this is when attendee that are just observing tend to be needed. It’s nice to have steady flow of members coming in throughout the hearing.
- Where is Hearing Room 2C? The public hearing will be held in room 2C, on the second floor. Go up the escalators and room 2C will be directly in front of you. There is an entrance to the right or left of the room.
Easy Steps for preparing your testimony to Judiciary Committee
• Be polite.
• Include your name, town of residence, the bill number and whether you support or oppose it.
• Do not include any private information. This testimony will be kept as public record.
• Testimony can be as little as a few sentences, try not to exceed one page in length.
• Make it personal. Any life experiences that are relevant to your position should be described.
• Save your testimony as a Word or PDF document.
• Begin your written testimony with:
Senator Winfield, Representative Stafstrom, and distinguished members of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary:
My name is [your name], I am from [town you reside]. I am testifying today in support of;
S.B. 940 AN ACT AUTHORIZING CERTAIN PERSONS TO CARRY HANDGUNS IN STATE PARKS AND STATE FORESTS.
H.B. 5227 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF FIREARMS BY MUNICIPALITIES.
H.B. 5870 AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSFER OF ASSAULT WEAPONS AND LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES.
I’m oppose to;
S.B. No. 60 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESENTATION OF A CARRY PERMIT.
H.B. No. 7218 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS IN THE HOME.
H.B. No. 7219 AN ACT CONCERNING GHOST GUNS.
H.B. No. 7223 AN ACT CONCERNING THE STORAGE OF A PISTOL OR REVOLVER IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.
[Explain why this is important to you:
-Do you have a personal story to share?
-How will these bills impact your life if passed?
-Why are firearms important to you?]
I urge you to favorably vote; S.B. 940, H.B. 5227, H.B. 5870 out of the Judiciary Committee and oppose; S.B. 60, H.B. 7218, H.B. 7219, H.B. 7223.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Town you reside]
More sample testimony is available at ccdl.us/how-to-help/2019-testimony
