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Connecticut backs gun controls after Newtown massacre Connecticut to sign gun controls after Newtown massacre
(about 5 hours later)
The state legislature in Connecticut has approved gun control measures which campaigners say are the most comprehensive in America. The governor of the US state where 20 young children were shot dead at school in December is set to sign some of the strictest gun control laws in the US.
The sweeping new restrictions include a ban on new high-capacity magazines and background checks on all gun buyers. Connecticut's state legislature passed the measures, which include America's first registry of gun offenders, early on Thursday after hours of debate.
President Barack Obama and gun control advocates say the measures are needed to curb an epidemic of gun violence. Meanwhile, Maryland's House of Delegates passed a bill requiring fingerprints for gun buyers.
In December a gunman in Newtown, Connecticut killed 26 people, including 20 children, at a primary school. But in the US Congress, efforts to pass gun control measures are struggling.
Gun rights groups argue the legislation - which was approved by both the senate and lower house in Connecticut - would not have prevented the Newtown school shooting. Democratic Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy plans to sign his state's bill at midday (16:00 GMT) on Thursday.
The state's assembly passed the legislation after more than 13 hours of debate. The state's assembly passed the legislation by 105 to 44 after more than 13 hours of debate.
In Washington, the US Congress is set to debate new gun control legislation this month. As well as a gun offenders registry, the restrictions introduce a ban on high-capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds and background checks on all firearms buyers.
President's visit The law also expands the state's assault weapons ban to 100 weapons, including the Bushmaster AR-15 used by 20-year-old Adam Lanza in the Newtown shooting.
Gun control in Connecticut became a predominant political issue after 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School with a high-powered rifle legally purchased by his mother - whom he also killed. But gun rights groups argue the legislation would not have prevented that massacre.
The killings also reignited national debate on gun control, and led to President Obama making gun safety one of the defining issues of his second term, which started a month after the shooting. Newtown reignited a national debate on gun control, and led to President Obama making gun safety one of the defining issues of his second term.
The president plans to visit the state on Monday as his proposed gun control measures in Congress appear to have stalled. Correspondents say he will use it to increase pressure on lawmakers in Washington. The president plans to visit Connecticut on Monday as his proposed gun control measures in Congress appear to have stalled.
The measures passed by Connecticut on Thursday include: Meanwhile, on Wednesday the House of Delegates in state of Maryland voted on gun control measures that would be some of the most restrictive in the US, if approved, as expected, by the state's Senate.
"This is a new and historic model for the country on an issue that has typically been the most controversial and divisive," Connecticut Senate President Donald Williams was quoted by local media as saying at the end of a six-hour debate in the lower house on Thursday morning. Democratic-leaning Maryland would require fingerprinting, classroom training, target practice and background checks on all gun buyers.
The approval of the bill by both houses of the Connecticut assembly came after weeks of negotiations between Democratic and Republican legislative leaders, who said they were determined to produce a bipartisan bill in response to the tragedy. The state would also become the first in the US to propose a gun license in nearly two decades.
But the powerful National Rifle Association gun lobby argues that more guns keep people safer. It has blocked several efforts to impose stricter gun controls, insisting that the US Constitution forbids firearms restrictions. The legislation limits magazine capacity to 10 bullets, places new limits on weapons purchases by the mentally ill and bans more than 40 types of assault rifle.
Mr Obama argues that the vast majority of Americans support new restrictions and has accused the gun lobby of instilling fears of government gun confiscations to rally opposition. While opinion polls show that most Americans support stricter gun control, the powerful National Rifle Association gun lobby argues that more guns keep people safer.
The president on Wednesday praised the state of Colorado for providing "a model of what's possible" in relation to gun control. It has blocked several efforts to impose stricter gun controls, insisting that the US Constitution enshrines the right to bear arms.
President Obama visited the state of Colorado on Wednesday, praising it for providing "a model of what's possible" in relation to gun control.
The western state - which has a deeply embedded culture of gun ownership - last month imposed limits on the size of ammunition magazines and expanded background checks for gun buyers.The western state - which has a deeply embedded culture of gun ownership - last month imposed limits on the size of ammunition magazines and expanded background checks for gun buyers.
The president said that Colorado was "a state of proud hunters and sportsmen" that "treasures" its right to own guns, but at the same time there was "no conflict" between its tradition of gun ownership and the need for stricter regulation.The president said that Colorado was "a state of proud hunters and sportsmen" that "treasures" its right to own guns, but at the same time there was "no conflict" between its tradition of gun ownership and the need for stricter regulation.
Colorado - like Connecticut - has also been hit by gun violence. Two students wielding guns killed 13 people and injured 20 others at Columbine high school in 1999, while a movie theatre massacre in July killed 12 and wounded dozens.Colorado - like Connecticut - has also been hit by gun violence. Two students wielding guns killed 13 people and injured 20 others at Columbine high school in 1999, while a movie theatre massacre in July killed 12 and wounded dozens.