Highlighting Connecticut’s role as a national leader in gun safety, President Joe Biden traveled Friday to the state to hail the most comprehensive gun law in the past three decades and renew his call for a federal ban on assault weapons.
As the marquee speaker at a major national gun summit, Biden celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which he signed into law.
More than 600 people gathered in West Hartford at the University of Hartford’s Lincoln Theater, a small venue that was chosen for the invitation-only summit long before Biden was confirmed as the main attraction. All seats were filled, and supporters were standing against the wall on the theatre’s far side.
“As a kid, I came out of a different movement — the civil rights movement,” Biden told the enthusiastic crowd.
The gun safety movement is on the front lines because of daily violence in the United States, he said.
“Every damn day in America,” Biden said, his voice rising. “A lot of you are tired. I get it. … We will never yield on this issue. Never. Never. Never. Never. We cannot give up. … We will ban assault weapons in this country. … It won’t be easy. … Look what you’ve already done in Connecticut and around the country. … We can get this done.”
Looking into the crowd from the stage, Biden urged them to keep battling on the issue.
“Some in this room have turned your pain into purpose,” Biden said. “You’re the reason why I’m so optimistic about the future. … You’re changing our culture. You’re changing our politics.”
Turning to former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords in the crowd, Biden said, “Gabby has more courage than most people I’ve ever known. … Gabby, I love you.”
Biden reminded the crowd of the long-running national polarization over gun control as advocates battle against Second Amendment supporters over one of the most emotional issues in America.
“A year ago, the conventional wisdom is we would never get any Republican support. Period,” Biden said. “It’s an important first step. … Whether you’re Democrats or Republicans, we all want them to be safe. … We want our children to have freedom to learn instead of ducking and covering in a classroom.”
In 2020, guns became the top killer of children in America — more than cancer and car accidents.
Now 80, Biden said he did not realize years ago that the gun manufacturers were immune from legal liability.
Noting the power of governors, Biden hailed the recent tightening of gun restrictions by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and the legislature.
“Look what the gov has done here in Connecticut,” Biden said.
Earlier at the day-long summit, some survivors held photos of loved ones who had been killed by gun violence. One woman said America is now a whole nation of survivors. Still, the mood was hopeful, with inner city groups and large national gun violence groups slated to collaborate in a search for solutions.
The event was not open to the public at large, but numerous gun safety groups were present with different colored T-shirts for each group, such as orange for Connecticut Against Gun Violence. Various group members gathered for photographs and selfies around U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a key player in writing the bipartisan legislation and a national leader on gun control.
Murphy and his staff largely organized the summit, along with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and others as co-sponsors.
The event opened with remarks by Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, who described Murphy as “the single strongest voice” in the U.S. Congress for gun safety. Bronin generated applause from the partisan crowd by saying that the gun control movement is “stronger than the NRA by far.”
He described multiple shootings in Hartford, including the recent death of a 12-year-old girl who got caught in the crossfire not far from the state Capitol.
With Lamont standing next to him, Bronin noted the bill recently signed by the governor that tightens Connecticut’s gun laws.
The gun laws are passed “because of you, because of the movement,” Lamont told the crowd. “I love the fact that Connecticut is a leader. We lead. This is how laws happen. It starts with you.”
Noting that Connecticut was once known as “the arsenal of democracy” with numerous gun manufacturers, Lamont said that times have changed. The work, he said, must continue.
“In many cases, our cops are being outgunned,” Lamont said. “We’ve got to get the illegal guns off the streets.”
Saying that Second Amendment supporters frequently say the problem is mental health, not guns, Lamont said the state is addressing both.
“Every time you tell me it’s not about the guns — it’s about the guns,” Lamont said.
Lamont then introduced Murphy, who received a standing ovation from the partisan crowd.
“I want to thank the thousands of people who are joining us online today,” Murphy said to the capacity crowd in the theatre. “This summit is a small show of this movement’s collective power. … We should do it more often.”
The passage of the law last year “represented a paradigm shift,” Murphy said, predicting that a federal assault weapons ban will be passed in the future. “I don’t want you to be satisfied with incremental progress, but I want you to demand it. … Eventually, politicians pay attention to the squeakiest wheel. … We are in this moment that victory is going to be pretty consistent if we keep up our work.”
Murphy introduced Biden, saying that the bill would never have become law without Biden — in a renewal of the past.
“It’s been 30 years since Joe Biden beat the NRA,” Murphy said, referring to the federal assault weapons ban that later expired and has not been renewed. “I believe the next decade is our movement’s decade.”
Opposition to Biden by GOP
During the summit, state Republican chairman Ben Proto blasted both Biden and Lamont. He said that Lamont’s recent ban on “open carrying” of guns “does nothing for the most dangerous neighborhoods in Connecticut.” Proto said Biden was “cheerleading on the trampling of our citizens’ clear constitutional rights” by imposing gun restrictions.
Proto added, “Joe Biden and Ned Lamont are completely out of touch with the real problems Hartford residents are facing. … It’s time Joe Biden and Democrats stop attacking law-abiding citizens and start focusing on those criminals who are intent on destroying neighborhoods and families.”
In the same way, House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford ripped Biden, saying legislation harms law-abiding citizens and the visit “won’t do a single thing to improve public safety in our communities or anywhere else in the nation.”
The summit, known as The National Safer Communities Summit, is a signature event with additional keynote addresses by national Education Secretary Miguel Cardona of Meriden and Giffords, a national gun-control advocate who suffered serious injuries when she was shot in the head in January 2011 by a mentally disturbed shooter in her home state of Arizona in a supermarket parking lot.
The event was held at the University of Hartford, where President Barack Obama spoke on gun safety in April 2013 to a packed gymnasium of more than 3,000 people following the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
The summit is designed to mark the first anniversary of The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was the biggest gun safety law in three decades.
What the federal law does
Supporters cite the law as the most important bipartisan gun control legislation in the past three decades.
The law largely closes the “boyfriend loophole” to block those convicted of domestic violence in the future from legally buying a gun, makes more sellers register as federally licensed firearms dealers so that they must conduct criminal background checks on potential buyers, and allows more time for extended background checks to search the mental health and juvenile records for those under 21 seeking to buy a gun.
The measure also cracks down on illegal gunrunners, earmarks money for community violence prevention, and provides $15 billion for addressing school safety and mental health issues, often cited as a reason for mass shootings. The law earmarks funding for “red flag” laws nationwide, including the first state law that dates back more than two decades in Connecticut following a workplace shooting in March 1998 at the state lottery headquarters in Newington.
Since his speeches on the Senate floor, Murphy has become a leader in the gun safety movement and has appeared on national television on CNN and MSNBC. Along with Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, Murphy is credited with helping mold the bipartisan coalition that voted 65-33 with 15 Republicans breaking with their party to vote for the bill with the Democrats.
“The outcome would have been inconceivable a few years ago,” Murphy told the enthusiastic crowd Friday. “Now, for the first time, it is gun safety voters, not the NRA, who matter most in Washington, D.C.”
The latest statistics, he said, show that gun violence rates “might be falling by more than 10% in some places” around the country in the first year after the new law.
Not far from his Hartford home, Murphy told the story of meeting with young children about gun violence and their concerns about walking to school. The children told him that they are able to tell the difference in the sounds between gun shots and fireworks.
The girl at one point turned to Murphy and said, “I shouldn’t need to know the difference.”
During a panel discussion, Murphy and fellow panel members said it is a myth that a gun would make a person safer. If that was true, the United States would be the safest country in the world.
“It’s amazing that myth has taken hold,” Murphy said. “For every 1% increase in gun ownership in a community … there is a 1% increase” in crime.
One of the many speakers, Nelba Marquez-Greene of Newtown, told the crowd that her identity in many ways has been reduced to three words: “Sandy Hook Mom.”
Marquez-Greene said she drove into the main entrance of the University of Hartford as protestors held signs defending the Second Amendment regarding the right to bear arms.
“This morning was hard coming in, seeing all the people who are against trying to save lives,” she told the crowd. “I’m a therapist and a former teacher, so you’re not leaving here without a lesson.”
Citing the “Ode to Joy,” she said that the battle would continue — prompting a standing ovation.
The summit included the most prominent gun-control groups around the nation and in Connecticut, including BRADY, GIFFORDS, Sandy Hook Promise, Newtown Action Alliance, March For Our Lives, Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, Every Town for Gun Safety and Connecticut Against Gun Violence, among others.
U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, a Democrat who flipped former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s seat in Georgia, sat on stage during a panel with Murphy and Blumenthal. They were introduced as three of the most influential players in the gun debate in Washington, D.C.
“I am a Black woman who ran in ruby red Georgia” on a gun-control platform, she said. “We drive the policy federally, but it takes all the work that you are doing on the ground. Any of our colleagues in Washington that are getting in our way, I’m pretty sure they’re not going to have a job pretty soon.”
Blumenthal spoke next, saying the nation needs to expand rules regarding “safe storage” of guns in homes so that they cannot get into the hands of children, such as Ethan Song, a 15-year-old Guilford teen who accidentally shot himself in 2018 with a gun that he obtained at a friend’s home.
“We’re going to pass Ethan’s Law” at the federal level, Blumenthal said.
That response drew a standing ovation from advocates who had successfully pushed for Ethan’s law at the state level in Connecticut.
Blumenthal noted that Kristen and Mike Song were in the audience, and they waved to Blumenthal from the back of the darkened theatre.
“Safe storage used to be a principle of the gun lobby. They taught safe storage,” Blumenthal said.
Gun manufacturers, Blumenthal said, market to a targeted audience of young men with the idea that “here’s your manhood card. Buy an assault weapon.”
Looking at the crowd, Blumenthal said the gun movement is attracting more young people. Those who survived the Sandy Hook shootings and other tragedies are becoming more active.
“They are voting,” Blumenthal said, “and pretty soon, they are going to be running for office.”
Former state education chief Miguel Cardona of Meriden, who is now the national education secretary, said he will continue working to keep teachers and students safe.
“A lock on a school door is no match for an AR-15,” Cardona said.
Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com.
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
fantastic publish, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector do not understand this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Hi i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant post.
After looking at a few of the blog posts on your site, I truly like your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site as well and let me know how you feel.
Hi it’s me, I am also visiting this web site daily, this website is in fact good and the people are really sharing pleasant thoughts.
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Cheers
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thank you for providing this info.
This information is invaluable. Where can I find out more?
It’s in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
I really love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you develop this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own website and would like to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Many thanks!
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me lunch because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this topic here on your internet site.
Simply want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness on your submit is simply cool and i can think you are a professional in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay up to date with forthcoming post. Thank you one million and please continue the gratifying work.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to discuss this topic here on your web page.
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Very good website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get responses from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Appreciate it!
It is not my first time to go to see this website, i am visiting this site dailly and get pleasant data from here every day.
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome blog!
I was able to find good information from your blog articles.
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion concerning this post here at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet users, its really really pleasant article on building up new blog.
Hi, its good article regarding media print, we all understand media is a enormous source of information.
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
I enjoy what you guys are up too. Such clever work and coverage! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my personal blogroll.
Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Really no matter if someone doesn’t understand after that its up to other viewers that they will help, so here it occurs.
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now 😉
It’s an remarkable article in favor of all the web people; they will take benefit from it I am sure.
Наилучший частный эромассаж Москва выбрать лучший
Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand so much approximately this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I think that you could do with some p.c. to drive the message house a bit, however other than that, this is great blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% sure. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
Pretty component of content. I simply stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to say that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I fulfillment you access persistently rapidly.
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day. It will always be helpful to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their sites.
Hi, I do believe this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Howdy I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Digg for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a fantastic post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I dont have time to read through it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic jo.
omg omg зеркало ссылка рабочая
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share. Cheers!
This piece of writing will help the internet people for creating new weblog or even a blog from start to end.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for %keyword%
Why people still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything is available on net?
Saved as a favorite, I like your web site!
Unquestionably consider that that you stated. Your favourite justification appeared to be at the net the simplest thing to be mindful of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same time as folks consider worries that they plainly do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as smartlyand also defined out the whole thing with no need side effect , folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Fabulous, what a blog it is! This blog gives helpful information to us, keep it up.
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & assist other users like its helped me. Good job.
I was able to find good information from your blog posts.
whoah this blog is magnificent i love reading your articles. Stay up the good work! You know, a lot of people are searching around for this info, you can help them greatly.
I was very happy to find this site. I wanted to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely savored every little bit of it and I have you book marked to see new things on your website.
I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks
Hello there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this web site.
Wow, this piece of writing is good, my sister is analyzing such things, thus I am going to let know her.
Hello, I believe your website might be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful blog!
You made some good points there. I looked on the internet to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
This is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information Thank you for sharing this one. A must read article!