Biden To Visit UHart Friday For Gun Safety Summit

WEST HARTFORD/HARTFORD, CT — For the second time in its history, a sitting U.S. President will make an appearance at the University of Hartford in West Hartford/Hartford.

And, for the second time, the reason for the visit is work toward ending gun violence in the country.

President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote address Friday, June 16, at the "National Safer Communities Summit," which is being hosted by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and several state and national gun safety activists.

The daylong event will feature a proverbial who's who of national political figures and gun safety advocates, all gathering to discuss ways to combat the ongoing scourge of gun violence in the U.S., evidenced by a proliferation of mass shootings, including schools.

It is taking place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on campus, but registration to attend in-person has reached capacity.

New registrants, though, can sign up to watch the day's proceedings via a live stream on Friday at this link.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was the first federal gun safety legislation signed into law in nearly 30 years, according to a UHart release.

The sweeping legislation, approved in 2022 with support from both political parties, addresses several factors related to gun violence, including mental health aid, protections for domestic violence victims and enhanced reviews for gun purchasers under 21.

UHart officials said Biden's visit will be the second president to come to campus.

In 2013, President Barack Obama discussed gun safety at a forum just a few months after the horrific Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December 2012, in which 26 died, 20 of them schoolchildren.

Many family members of children killed in the Newtown massacre will be in attendance Friday, some serving on panels and speaking.

While the topic of Biden's visit is something many wish wasn't necessary, UHart officials said they are still honored to have the president visit campus.

“We are incredibly honored to welcome President Biden to the University of Hartford,” said UHart Acting President Stephen Mulready. "We are grateful to Senator Murphy for partnering with UHart to host this important event on a topic that impacts us all.”

In addition to Biden, Murphy and Blumenthal, other big names expected to speak include former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona.

While in office, Giffords, a Democrat, was nearly killed by a gunman in January 2011 at a constituent event in a Tuscon, Ariz., supermarket.

She recovered and has, since, become a prominent gun safety activist. Her husband is former astronaut Mark Kelly, who is now a Democratic U.S. Senator serving Arizona.

For more information on Biden's visit to UHart, click on this link.

For more information on the 2023 "National Safer Communities Summit" and to register to watch it online, click on this link.