The Truth Behind Kneejerk Gun Laws: What Governor Lamont’s Response Misses

In the aftermath of the unfortunate Waterbury Mall shooting, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont was quick to address reporters and call for tighter regulations — again. While we can all agree that violence and crime are tragedies demanding attention, the ongoing solution from many on the Left is to push for more restrictive gun laws that do little to impact actual crime rates. At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we believe in a solutions-based approach rooted in constitutional rights, personal responsibility, and effective firearms training — not politically motivated sound bites.

Kneejerk Reactions Do Not Equal Effective Policy

The recent incident at the Brass Mill Center may have shaken the Waterbury community, but reports now confirm that the shooting involved two people who likely knew each other. In other words, this was not a random act of gun violence but more likely the fallout of personal conflict — a crucial distinction that Governor Lamont and others conveniently overlook when using such events to justify sweeping legislative changes.

During a press conference, Governor Lamont said, “We’ve got to do more to get guns off the street,” suggesting that more regulations will reduce criminal activity. But here’s the reality: gun control only disarms law-abiding citizens, not criminals who already ignore laws.

What the Data — and Reality — Tell Us

While the Governor and other gun-control proponents continue pushing this narrative, the facts tell a different story. States with strict gun laws, such as Connecticut and New York, consistently rank high in regulations but still suffer from frequent gun-related crimes in urban areas. Meanwhile, states that uphold the Second Amendment and provide resources for responsible firearms ownership tend to see lower crime rates due to stronger self-defense cultures.

At Fortress Firearms Training, our mission is to equip South Carolinians with the skills, mindset, and legal knowledge to safely and effectively exercise their right to protect themselves and others. This hands-on education is a far better deterrent to crime than any legislation coming out of Hartford or Washington, D.C.

The Real Solutions Lie in Training and Responsibility

Instead of more red tape that burdens responsible gun owners, we should be focusing on:

• Comprehensive firearms training that educates people on safe storage, handling, and defense techniques
• Community engagement initiatives to support law enforcement and promote a culture of accountability
• Improved mental health resources, rather than treating every criminal act as merely a gun issue
• Tougher prosecution of crimes already on the books, instead of adding new laws that won’t be enforced

Too often, tragedies like the Waterbury Mall incident are used as an excuse to push for draconian control over our most sacred freedoms. But here’s the truth: no law will fully eliminate the risk of crime. What we can do, however, is help reduce that risk by ensuring good people are empowered, trained, and prepared to protect themselves — a right guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

Politicizing Tragedies Undermines Real Progress

It’s one thing to respond to an emergency; it’s another to exploit it for political gain. When Governor Lamont jumps from a reported shooting by known individuals to a blanket statement about “getting guns off the street,” it oversimplifies the issue and misleads the public. No law will prevent two people with a personal beef from acting out violently, especially in a location where carrying a firearm is already restricted.

These types of public shootings often attract media attention, which politicians then leverage to appear tough on crime — meanwhile avoiding the tougher work of empowering communities through education, engagement, and enforcement.

Firearms Training is the Foundation for Safe Communities

Here in South Carolina, our approach at Fortress Firearms Training is proactive, not reactive. We provide classes that blend technical skills with situational awareness and legal understanding. Our students don’t just learn how to shoot; they learn when and why to — responsibly and legally.

By leading with firearms safety and real-world applications, our programs help to:

• Reduce accidental shootings by educating gun owners on proper usage and storage
• Empower individuals, especially women and seniors, to protect themselves in increasingly uncertain times
• Support a culture that values personal responsibility over government overreach

Gun Control Legislation: All Optics, No Outcome

While Connecticut’s lawmakers, led by figures like Governor Lamont, scramble to “do something,” it’s important to ask: Do these laws actually work? The cities with the strongest restrictions often still experience high levels of gun violence — because criminals don’t care about gun laws. It’s law-abiding citizens who are left defenseless when ill-conceived policies restrict their natural right to self-defense.

And let’s be clear: Governor Lamont’s remarks indicate a willingness to push even tighter restrictions on gun owners in the name of temporary appearances. It’s the same playbook we’ve seen across the country — penalize the 99% for the crimes of the 1%.

Why Fortress Firearms Training Supports the Second Amendment

We believe that personal freedom and safety go hand-in-hand with responsibility. The founders of this nation didn’t add the Second Amendment as a suggestion — it’s a guarantee. A well-armed and well-trained populace isn’t a threat to public safety, it’s a pillar of it.

The kind of kneejerk legislation Governor Lamont’s suggesting wouldn’t stop a similar shooting from happening. But providing access to valid training, education, and empowerment for citizens certainly could.

Final Thoughts: Communities Stay Safer When Citizens Are Prepared

Events like the Waterbury Mall shooting remind us of the importance of vigilance. But they also remind us that the kneejerk call for disarmament is not the answer. As freedom-loving Americans, it’s up to us to push back against overreaching narratives and stand firm in our constitutional rights.

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we’re proud to be a part of that solution — providing local residents with the tools, training, and confidence to protect what matters most. Whether you’re seeking your Concealed Weapons Permit or interested in advanced defensive firearm tactics, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s stop reacting blindly and start building communities that are trained, armed, and ready — legally and responsibly.