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Connecticut to sign gun controls after Newtown massacre Connecticut to sign gun controls after Newtown massacre
(35 minutes later)
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 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.
Connecticut's state legislature passed the measures, which include America's first registry of gun offenders, early on Thursday after hours of debate.Connecticut's state legislature passed the measures, which include America's first registry of gun offenders, early on Thursday after hours of debate.
Meanwhile, Maryland's House of Delegates passed a bill requiring fingerprints for gun buyers.Meanwhile, Maryland's House of Delegates passed a bill requiring fingerprints for gun buyers.
But in the US Congress, efforts to pass gun control measures are struggling. But in the US Congress, efforts to pass firearms restrictions are struggling.
Democratic Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy plans to sign his state's bill at midday (16:00 GMT) on Thursday.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 by 105 to 44 after more than 13 hours of debate. The state assembly passed the legislation by 105 to 44 after more than a dozen hours of debate.
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. 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.
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. The law also expands the state's assault weapons ban by 100 weapons, including the Bushmaster AR-15, which was used by 20-year-old Adam Lanza in December's Newtown shooting.
But gun rights groups argue the legislation would not have prevented that massacre.But gun rights groups argue the legislation would not have prevented that massacre.
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. Newtown reignited a national debate on firearms control, and led to President Barack Obama making gun safety one of the defining issues of his second term.
The president plans to visit Connecticut on Monday as his proposed gun control measures in Congress appear to have stalled.The president plans to visit Connecticut on Monday as his proposed gun control measures in Congress appear to have stalled.
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. Meanwhile, on Wednesday the House of Delegates in the 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.
Democratic-leaning Maryland would require fingerprinting, classroom training, target practice and background checks on all gun buyers. In addition to requiring fingerprinting of all gun buyers, Democratic-leaning Maryland would also become the first in the US to propose a gun license in nearly two decades.
The state would also become the first in the US to propose a gun license in nearly two decades. The legislation also 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.
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. While opinion polls show that most Americans support stricter gun control, the powerful National Rifle Association gun lobby group argues that more guns keep people safer.
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.
It has blocked several efforts to impose stricter gun controls, insisting that the US Constitution enshrines the right to bear arms.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.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.