by Donald Eng
HARTFORD, CT — Politicians often participate in events that are merely symbolic. But Thursday’s ceremonial bill signing was something that will make a real difference, Gov. Ned Lamont said.
Lamont, joined by numerous representatives from Connecticut Against Gun Violence and other advocates, signed Public Act 25-43 in a ceremony at the State Capitol.
The law, also known as the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, allows for the filing of civil lawsuits against gun industry members that fail to exercise reasonable controls over the use and distribution of their products. It also closes a permitting loophole where those convicted of certain criminal offences in other states could receive a permit that would have been denied to someone who had committed the same offenses in Connecticut.
Earl Bloodworth, executive director of CAGV, called the act “a meaningful step forward for public safety” and said every community deserves to feel safe.
“Our work doesn’t end here, but today we celebrate progress,” he said.
Earl Bloodworth, executive director of Connecticut Against Gun Violence, speaks at a bill-signing ceremony for House Bill 7042 on Aug. 7, 2025 at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, who co-chairs the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, said Connecticut is a state that is “smart on crime and tough on guns” and cited the state’s crime stats as evidence that this approach works.
“Connecticut remains one of the safest states in the country,” he said.
According to FBI statistics, violent crime in the country continues at historic lows, and Connecticut consistently ranks among the five states with the lowest crime rates.
In fact, Stafstrom’s home city of Bridgeport has seen fatal shootings fall from 24 to 12 in the last five years, and non-fatal shootings dropped from 138 to 53.
“Connecticut has shown the way,” he said. “In Connecticut, we pride ourselves on having robust gun legislation, which includes background checks, fingerprinting, and preventing guns from falling into the hands of those who shouldn’t own it.”
David Pucino, legal director of the Giffords Law Center, said the legislation is “incredibly important.”
Victims of gun violence are some of the most financially disadvantaged in the country, he said. And so the irresponsible members of the gun industry — which Pucino estimated at about 10% — escape accountability.
“What this legislation will do is it will say, ‘This is your problem,’” he said. “And it will say that not just at a moral level, but at a financial level.”
Lamont said he is happy that nine other states have taken action similar to Connecticut, but said it would be better if 49 states did so.
“I hope that Washington, D.C., can look at examples like Connecticut and say it’s making a difference here, it can make a difference around the country,” he said.