Monday, March 16, 2009

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Conn. bill raises age for using assault weapon

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would require someone to be at least 18 years old before handling a machine gun or assault weapon.

The proposal, before the legislature's Judiciary Committee, stems from a deadly accidental shooting in October. Eight-year-old Christopher Bizilj (bah-SEEL') of Ashford, Conn. shot himself in the head with an Uzi during a gun fair in Westfield, Mass.

Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat, says children may not be strong enough to control assault weapons or machine guns, even if they are being supervised by a parent.

Looney says it's unclear under current state law whether children are already prohibited from possessing machine guns or assault weapons. He says this bill would clear up the matter.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)