CT Lawmakers To Rally Monday For Stricter Federal Gun Laws

HARTFORD, CT — After 29 people were killed and dozens more were seriously injured this weekend in two more mass shootings, Connecticut's lawmakers and leaders delivered a blunt message to Washington, D.C.

"To my colleagues - get off your ass and do something," said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. "Stop pretending like your only responsibility is to offer sympathy. You got elected to fix things. And this is fixable. But not if all you do about this is tweet."

"These young men contemplating mass murder take note of the inaction of their government, shooting after shooting, and their broken minds infer endorsement by our silence. If you're doing nothing - again - after the last 24 hours, the blood is soaking deeper into your hands," Murphy added.

Murphy's words may have been the most blunt, but all of Connecticut's leading officials urged immediate action on gun control and pleaded with their colleagues to offer real remedies beyond simply saying "thoughts and prayers."

On Monday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont and members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Murphy, will hold a rally on the north steps of the State Capitol building in Hartford urging the federal government to take strong action on gun violence prevention measures. Also participating will be state legislators, representatives of several local gun violence prevention organizations, and other advocates.

The rally will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue in Hartford.

Blumenthal said it's time to "Break the gun lobby’s vile vice-like grip on Congress. Send Mitch McConnell a message: Adopt commonsense reforms."

Blumenthal said of course "Our hearts go to the families & all hurt, & deep thanks to first responders," but he added "Enough is enough. We know what must be done to end this epidemic of violence."

"One place to start, Emergency Risk Protection Orders—removing guns from people who are identified as being dangerous to themselves or others. This legislation is building bipartisan support. The time is now to take forceful action. We must seize the moment," Blumenthal said.

On Saturday in El Paso, Texas, a gunman wielding an AK-47-style rifle opened fire in and around a Walmart store near Cielo Vista mall, sending panicked shoppers racing for cover. Twenty people died and 26 more were hurt, officials said.

Then early Sunday, a gunman dressed in body armor opened fire outside a bar in Dayton, Ohio Sunday, killing nine people and wounding 27 others. Police then shot the suspect to death.

Connecticut leaders' tough words after the most recent mass shootings can't be a surprise as the state is forever reeling from the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting which left 20 children dead and six adults.

Lamont said "There is a real epidemic of domestic terrorism growing in this country, with at least one of this weekend's mass shootings reportedly perpetrated by a white nationalist. These are acts of evil generated by an expanding ideology of hatred.

"We need leadership, particularly in Washington, that will not be owned by special interests. We need leadership that will not cave to the NRA and will act in the best interest of the people of our country. We need action because thoughts and prayers will not stop mass murder," Lamont added.

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