In a matter of 23 hours, the state debated, passed and signed a new gun bill into a law that officials call one of the strongest in the nation.
Much of it was already in effect on Thursday night and Gov. Dannel Malloy did not have much time to savor his signing of the bill.
Hours later, he attended a town hall meeting in Manchester, where he was backed by supporters and faced his critics.
“This bill does nothing for public safety,” Zachery Davis told Malloy.
“I read the summary of gun control legislation it's not what I would of chosen,” Dan Novak said.
“Why, as a responsible citizen, do I have to be held responsible for the actions of a mad man. I am not Adam Lanza, I did not commit those crimes,” Mike Silva said.
Malloy stood by his decision and said it could prevent another massacre.
“We made a decision in our state and that is, we don't want these instruments sold any longer in our state,” he said.
Many supported Malloy on the new measures.
“I don't want to have to go to church, to the mall, to the theater, to the baseball game, to take a course at MCC, and worry someone's going to shoot me,” one woman said.
Several people said they hoped the gun laws, which are the toughest in the country would make them safer.
“This is our opportunity and we're so thankful and grateful,” Bethy Guiles-Smith said.
