Firearms working group to review DPS-332C form, meet again March 18

Shauna Harrington, director of legal advocacy (CCADV), told the council the firearms seizure and compliance working group has met twice and will continue monthly. The group identified priorities including review of the DPS-332C firearm ammunition and compliance statement and the model policy language about recommending (or mandating) that officers ask offenders to complete the form.

Harrington said the group found low incentives for people to fill out the form and raised constitutional concerns. "There's really no incentive for folks to fill this form out, and it could also present Fifth Amendment self incrimination issues," she said. The working group plans to compare the special licensing and firearms unit's written compliance procedure to the proposed "gold" procedure and review whether changes to Connecticut General Statutes (including 46b-38b(a)) are warranted to clarify seizure authority.

The working group flagged the practical problem that the DPS-332C currently reads as advisory in places and that making aspects of it mandatory could have legal consequences. Members discussed the difference between targeting illegal versus legal firearms and the difficulty of a "one-size-fits-all" approach; the group also noted risk-protection orders as a potential route for victims when relinquishment is not complied with.

Next steps: the group will continue monthly meetings and scheduled the next meeting for Wednesday, March 18 from 1 to 2 PM. The council suggested the subcommittee aim to bring a recommendation to one of the subcommittees or the full council by the summer.