Gun Owners Pressure Malloy Over Pistol Permit Fee Hike Proposal

HARTFORD, CT — Gun owners and legislators from both parties Friday criticized Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal to increase the state portion of the pistol permit fee from $70 to $300 and the initial 5-year pistol permit fee from $140 to $370.

The increase in fees for gun owners will bring in another $9 million to the state annually, according to the governor’s budget estimates.

“Supporters of this massive tax increase claim that it would bring Connecticut in line with fees in neighboring states. Don’t buy their lies,” Christopher Kopacki, National Rifle Association liaison for the state of Connecticut, said at a press conference in the Legislative Office Building.

“Here’s the truth,” Kopacki continued. “Under Malloy’s tax hike, Connecticut residents would be paying more than nine times what our neighbors in Rhode Island pay for a permit. Nearly three times what residents in New York State pay and 37 times what residents in New Hampshire pay.

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