Connecticut lawmakers pass sweeping gun measure

(CNN) -- Gun legislation that advocacy groups call the strongest and most comprehensive to be taken up across the nation moved closer to passage early Thursday as the Connecticut House approved the tough gun measure.

The vote, 105-44, followed passage by the Senate a day earlier.

The bill, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Dannel Malloy, would make Connecticut the third state to pass such a tough measure following the December rampage in Newtown.

Many portions would take effect immediately, after the governor's endorsement, including the banning of the sale or purchase of large-capacity magazines.

New York and Colorado passed gun-control legislation limiting magazine capacity, among other provisions.

But Connecticut Against Gun Violence called the state's bill historic and applauded lawmakers on its extensive reach.

What the bill does

According to a draft of the bill, the Connecticut measure would add more than 100 types of guns to the state's list of banned assault weapons; limit the capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds; ban armor-piercing bullets; require background checks for all firearms sales, including at gun shows; establish safety standards for school buildings; allow mental health training for teachers; and expand mental health research in the state.

Debate on the legislation, which was drawn up by a bipartisan legislative task force, was emotional at times Wednesday.

Sen. Beth Bye spoke for five minutes, the time it took, she said, for 26 children and adults to die December 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

"Twenty of those parents came back with a state trooper and not their child," said the senator.

Some questioned whether the bill dealt enough with the state's mental health system, a reference to the accused shooter.

Scott Wilson, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League, earlier said nothing in the new legislation would stop someone like Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old gunman.

"In his case, he stole the guns and went on a murderous rampage. Limiting magazine capacity or mandating registration will only affect law-abiding persons, not criminals bent on murder," Wilson added.

Reassuring gun owners

A Republican member of the task force, House Minority Leader Larry Cafero, reassured gun owners they wouldn't lose their guns or ammunition magazines, "so long as they follow our rules and register," he said.

"Are there tighter restrictions on their use, etc.? Absolutely. We also were able to see as part of this legislation the repeal of early release for violent criminals."

The bill would expand the definition of an assault weapon by reducing to just one the number of specified "physical characteristics" that need to be present. Current law requires two.

The legislation would immediately ban any further sale, purchase or importation of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds but would allow current owners of larger-capacity magazines to keep them.

However, those magazines would have to be registered with the state by January 1, and even legally registered magazines could not be loaded with more than 10 rounds outside of the owner's home or a gun range, no matter what permits the gun owner may hold.

"It is ludicrous to expect people that have firearms capable of holding 15 rounds to only load 10 rounds inside of them," Wilson objected. "Do criminals really care about these laws?"

Families of the children slain in Newtown were disappointed the larger-capacity magazines were grandfathered in. They asked Monday for an across-the-board ban.

"On behalf of the loved ones who were violently taken from us, please reconsider your approach to large-capacity magazines as part of the comprehensive package of gun legislation," the families wrote in a letter to lawmakers.

Governor steps in

"They've asked for an up or down vote on that provision, and, whether it's in the larger bill or as an amendment, the families, and every resident of our state, deserve a vote," Gov. Malloy in a statement.

"I have been clear for weeks that a ban on the possession and sale of high-capacity magazines is an important part of our effort to prevent gun violence," the governor added. "Simply banning their sale moving forward would not be an effective solution."

In addition, the bill would create the nation's first statewide registry for people convicted of crimes involving the use or threat of dangerous weapons. The registry would not be public, but available to law enforcement only.

Furthermore, it would require eligibility certificates for the purchase of any rifle, shotgun or ammunition, and would significantly increase penalties for illegal possession and firearms trafficking.

Other parts of the bill establish safety standards for school building projects and require each school in the state to develop a safety and security plan. It also requires safe school climate committees to investigate instances of bullying and other threatening behavior. Other provisions address security at colleges and universities.

The bill allows school districts to require "mental health first aid" training for school personnel and creates a task force to examine the state's mental health system. Additionally, it alters state insurance regulations to beef up mental health care coverage.

Don Williams, the Senate president, told CNN he expected strong support for the bill from both sides of the aisle because of the bipartisan task force that put it together.

"Democrats and Republicans were able to come to an agreement on a strong, comprehensive bill," he added. "That is a message that should resound in 49 other states, and in Washington, D.C. and the message is we can get it done here and they should get it done in their respective states and nationally in Congress."