HARTFORD, CT – In a blow to Connecticut citizens’ Second Amendment protections, U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello ruled that the state’s assault weapons ban is constitutional.
According to the judge, “While the act burdens the plaintiffs’ Second Amendment rights, it is substantially related to the important governmental interest of public safety and crime control.”
“Obviously, the court cannot foretell how successful the legislation will be in preventing crime. Nevertheless, for the purposes of the court’s inquiry here, Connecticut, in passing the legislation, has drawn reasonable inferences from substantial evidence.”
An attorney for the plaintiff, Brian T. Stapleton, promised that the suit is a long way from over.
“We respect Judge Covello, but respectfully disagree with him,” said Stapleton. “An appeal was anticipated in this case. There are findings that we can work with and we are going to do everything we can to get this overturned.”
Additionally, the plaintiffs argued that the ban is unfair because it exempts police officers, even while off duty. Rejecting the comparison, the judge said that the police officers trained in the use of these weapons are not comparable to their civilian counterparts.
The judge ruled without hearing oral arguments.
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