GUILFORD, Conn. (WTIC) – State lawmakers, officials and activists joined friends and family of Ethan Song to celebrate the passage and signing of “Ethan’s Law.”
The bill closes a loophole in state statutes regarding the safe storage of firearms in homes. The legislation follows the death of 15-year old Ethan Song, who died in January of 2018 in an accidental shooting involving a neighbor’s handgun.
Overall, Governor Lamont noted it was a day of “mixed emotions”, as the packed room celebrated the signing of the bill that also requires the State Board of Education to develop a firearms safety guide for students in kindergarten through grade twelve for school districts (if they so choose) to use.
In a joint statement, Ethan’s parents, Kristin and Michael Song said, “None of us can change the past, all of us can change the future. Ethan’s Law would have saved Ethan’s life. We have to help those kids whose friends are visiting right now with unsecured guns nearby.”
The bipartisan bill passed conclusively in both the senate and the house, as lawmakers note the passage shows Connecticut is a national leader on gun safety and gun violence prevention. Ethan’s Law was one of three gun safety laws passed in the legislative session this year.
Moving forward, Ethan’s parents plan to take the legislation to Washington to help prevent future gun violence and promote gun safety.