Hartford — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, legislative leaders and gun violence prevention groups gathered in Hartford on Thursday to commemorate the one year anniversary of the post-Newtown gun control, school safety and mental health law.

“In the wake of one of the worst tragedies to befall our state, we took clear and decisive action to make all residents in every one of our cities and towns safer,” Malloy said in a press release. “The common sense limitations we put in place will make sure that guns are less likely to fall into the hands of someone who shouldn’t have one. The investments in school security and the additional steps we are taking to address the challenges in accessing mental services are really the first steps toward long-term improvements in public safety.”

Although Connecticut’s laws are strong, residents are not as safe as they could be because the U.S. Congress has failed to enact gun control legislation, Malloy said.

“Congress needs to act on common sense gun reform, and they need to do it today.”

The legislation banned the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity magazines and required people who wanted to purchase rifles, shotguns and ammunition to complete safety training and obtain a permit.

The state has received 50,242 assault certifications and 38,209 gun owners have declared their large capacity magazines, Malloy said. There have also been 1,747 pistol permits revoked and 210 people have been denied permission to purchase rifles and shotguns due to background checks that showed felony convictions, undocumented alien status and domestic violence charges.

“We are already beginning to see the positive impact this legislation is having, including keeping guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them,” said House of Representatives Speaker Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden. “Ultimately, to truly reduce gun violence in this country we need Congress to act, and I encourage them to use our legislation as a model.”