WASHINTGON, D.C. (WFSB) -
A Connecticut congresswoman is proposing legislation to curb gun violence and create initiatives for turning in assault weapons.
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro stated Monday that she has created anyone who turns in an assault weapon to a local or state police department will receive a $2,000 tax credit.
According to the act, a $1,000 tax credit will be given to anyone who turns in a weapon for two consecutive years.
Rosa DeLauro said she hopes the "Support Assault Firearm Elimination and Reduction for our (SAFER) Street Act" will help prevent gun violence.
"Let us be clear. Assault weapons are not about hunting or even self-defense, and they should be off the streets," DeLauro said in a statement Monday. "There is no reason on Earth, other than to kill as many people as possible in a very short period of time, that anyone needs a gun designed for military purposes."
The legislation comes after Adam Lanza, 20, shot and killed his mother as she slept in her bed Dec. 14. He then traveled the few miles to Sandy Hook Elementary School, where he proceeded to shoot out a security window, make his way into the building and kill 20 children and six adults.
"Particularly if you are a parent or grandparent, the tragedy that happened in Sandy Hook last month is almost overwhelming," said DeLauro, who has supported legislation to curb gun violence during her tenure. "Such massacres should not happen in America and we should do everything possible to prevent such tragedies in the future."
The legislation was proposed by a Connecticut veteran who owned an assault weapon, but after the Newtown school shooting, he wanted to turn his weapon in to prevent future tragedies.
DeLauro said she supports a "comprehensive ban on assault weapons as well as high capacity ammunition feeding devices, closing the 'gun show loophole' to ensure background checks are conducted on all gun purchases and improvements to our health system."
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