Norwalk gun violence resolution delivered to Hartford

NORWALK, Conn. – A Norwalk resolution in support of responsible gun laws and their enforcement has made its way to Hartford.

Councilwoman Anna Duleep (D-At Large), who has filed papers to run for city sheriff, sent an email to the press Tuesday morning saying she was heading to the capital and the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group, where she would deliver an open letter to the Connecticut General Assembly. With the letter was the resolution passed at the Feb. 12 council meeting.

In her letter Duleep informs the Assembly of Norwalk’s position on the “illegal pipeline of guns known as I-95,” and says it is in the state’s interest to help Norwalk stop the spread of illegal guns and the challenges faced by urban communities: “gangs, shootings and guns that get into the hands of those who should not have them.”

“We lack the resources to adequately tackle these issues without significant help from Hartford,” she wrote. “If you cannot allow us to keep more of our tax dollars to prevent gun violence, than at least craft sensible, effective laws to help protect our law enforcement officers and our citizens. Please support CAGV’s (Connecticut Against Gun Violence) proposals! The nation – and world – are looking to Connecticut to provide leadership. Please don’t squander this opportunity to save lives.”

Duleep also highlighted two passages from the resolution:

“Therefore, be it resolved by the Common Council of the city of Norwalk that we fully expect the needs of Connecticut’s sixth largest municipality to be a significant factor in the deliberative process of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety;” and

“Therefore, be if resolved by the Common Council of the City of Norwalk that we support the efforts of March for Change and Connecticut Against Gun Violence to encourage the Connecticut General Assembly to collaborate on reasonable gun safety legislation in a timely fashion.”

The resolution was sponsored by council members David McCarthy (R-District E), Michael Geake (D-District B), Sarah Mann (R-At Large), Bruce Kimmel (D-District D), Jerry Petrini (R-District D), Michelle Maggio (R-District C) and David Watts (D-District A). It was passed unanimously.