Michelle McBride, an NRA safety instructor from Beacon Falls, testified in favor of allowing handguns in state parks where her family hikes near Naugatuck State Forest. She opposed several gun-control bills, arguing they lack evidence of improving safety and that firearm education, not restrictions, should be the focus.
From Beacon Falls. I'm submitting my testimony today in support of— Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here and giving me the chance to testify. My name is Michelle McBride, and I'm from SB 970, an act authorizing certain persons— excuse me— to carry handguns in state parks and state Forest. HB 5227, an act concerning the regulation of firearms by municipalities, and HB 5870, an act concerning transfer of assault weapons and— oh, excuse me— large capacity magazines. As stated above, I support several of those— of these bills. I'm especially in support of SB 940. My home borders the Naugatuck State Forest. My husband, daughter, and I hike in, in the park on a regular basis. Watching from my back deck, we can see all forms of wildlife. We have bears, we have bobcats, we have deer, we have wolves and coyotes. They come down in the yard, and I can also watch them through the woods. When we're up hiking, it would be really kind of put our mind to ease that I would be able to protect my daughter if that wildlife for any reason decided to attack, or a person for that matter, but more the wildlife. The wildlife belongs in the wild, and I'm happy to leave it there. However, if it chose to come after me, I should be able to protect myself in a forest the same way I can protect myself in my home and on the road. So that's where I— that's my strong one on the support bills. That's the one I feel strongest about. I oppose SB number 4, uh, number 60, HB number 7218, HB number 7219, and HB 7233— no, 223, my bad. Again, for many reasons I oppose these. All right, first of all, I'd like to see some statistics where if we pass these laws, it would truly make any of us safer. Every year I see what bills are being presented, and every year the one thing I never see is educating people about firearm safety. I've been shooting since I was a child. I'm an NRA firearm safety instructor for both both pistol and rifle disciplines. I was taught as a child the importance of firearm safety and to be a responsible gun owner. When my daughter was old enough to comprehend the concept of firearm safety, I enrolled her in a junior rifle club so that she too could understand the responsibility of firearms and firearm safety. Sarah Raskin testified earlier about a study that was done. It was a 2-day study with children. I firmly believe longer-term education, whether it be junior rifle clubs, whether it be in school over time, you'll get more out of it.
Thank you.
That's it.
Questions for Cootie? Seeing none, thank you for being here.
Uh, Doug.
Representative Dubitsky. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I, I actually don't have a question. I just wanted to thank you for coming and thank you for staying this long. I appreciate the work that you do, and thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Representative. Further questions? Seeing none, thank you for being here.
