U.S. Rep. John Larson, a leader of the Connecticut delegation, called on Congress to take action on gun control legislation following the devastating school shooting in Newtown.
“Friday was a day of mourning, but the time to act is now upon us,” Larson said in a strongly worded statement issued Saturday afternoon.
“To do nothing in the face of continuous assaults on our children is to be complicit in those assaults. There may not be a single cure-all for the violence in our nation, however we must start the process and begin the deeper and longer conversations that need to take place.
“Politics be damned. Of the 12 deadliest shootings in our nation’s history, half of them have happened in the last five years. And there is not a single person in America who doesn’t fear it will happen again. It’s time we recognize the danger and address it,” Larson said.
The Democrat who represents the 1st District said Congress should act quickly on bills requiring background checks for all gun sales, closing the terrorist watch list loopholes, and banning assault weapons and high capacity clips.
“Those measures don’t solve all our problems, but they’re a start,” Larson said.
“We also need to focus on our mental health care system. We need to support a better process for families and friends to share their concerns and fears with authorities about people’s mental status, and begin to invest in the human infrastructure needed for effective prevention programs that create healthy children. The pattern is clear- action must be taken.
“To do nothing in the face of pending disaster is to be complicit. It’s time to act. It’s time to vote.”
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12 Responses to Larson on Gun Control: “The Time to Act is Now Upon Us”
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Its never a bad time for politicians to turn a horrendous tragedy into a political cause. Shame on Rep. Larson.
Thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families. So sad its beyond words.
Shame on you, Jimbo! It’s long past time for Congress to do something about our national disgrace — assault guns, large magazine clips for these guns, and violence including the violent computerized games sold to children and young teens. The time to act is long time past. NOW is as good a time as any. Our children deserve better!
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families — and all of Newtown are victims, as is our entire country. God help us one and all.
Thanks for saying that Jimbo…so I don’t have to!
Rep Larson was a high school teacher and my high school basketball coach before he entered politics. He was a tough coach and a fine history teacher who cared about his students, loved by students and parents alike. Dedicated and funny.
Shame on you, Jimbo.
I call on the NRA to be part of the solution, to join gun owners, lawmakers, citizens of all stripes (even you) to find ways to make gun ownership safer in society. The status quo isn’t working.
Liberals (your stripe) always gravitate toward the gun issue. Where’s your outrage when people get mowed down daily in our cities? Connecticut already has among the most strict gun laws in the country.
That said, lets broaden the discussion, shall we? Where’s the discussion about how to keep all of us safe from unstable, mentally ill folks? Where’s the discussion about the cultural effects of gratuitous violence on TV, on videos games, in rap music and in the movies? Crickets.
You hypocritical liberals disgust me. Shame on you.
Agree with you Jimbo.Some random thoughts. DWI is fully preventable, but as a society we seem to be willing to accept a nominal loss of life with this issue.Don’t respond that dwi is not planned like this may have been.Since the summer theater shooting in CO, I haven’t seen an uproar to get a handle on these movies coming out of Hollywood,glorifying violence and death.Dressing up as the Joker and committing that carnage has come and gone.Look at all the people being prescribed for anti-depressants and other psychological drugs.The instant answer is to ban the guns.The two pistols this monster had may have come from his mother,but yet he was not of age(21) to use them on his own. So,if they were hers,did she leave them unattended at home,were they locked up and/or did he procure the pistols from somewhere else? Questions that the media hasn’t asked yet.
Regarding the governor: keep your trap shut and let Sgt. Vance handle the release to the media. You reported that the shooter committed suicide when he realized officers were closing in on him. When Sgt Vance was asked @ the 4pm press conference if this was true, he said he would not comment on it.
Most importantly, keep the victims,their families,and first responders in your hearts and prayers.
The shame is on YOU ,Jimbo and all who think like you do. Grow up!
It is a real shame isn’t it. That EVERYONE doesn’t think like you.
Unfortunately the NRA is too powerful. 20 dead children is the price the NRA is more than willing to pay to ensure they can own any type of weapon they choose. Politicians know the NRA will unleash an unlimited amount of resource to squash anyone who attempts to strengthen gun safety laws. We are powerless against the NRA.
Addressing mental illness IS part of the conversation. A respectful, honest conversation. Save your empty toss of “thoughts and prayers for the victims and families” in the same breath you bash liberals.
Neighbors and citizens all. Grow up.
Funny how my response is an empty toss but Sassy’s above, which is very similar to mine, except the other content ,is not. Goes to show you that the party of tolerance(supposedly) and acceptance, is only that if you have the SAME opinion.
Yes, our “toss” is superficial whereas one made by a liberal is genuine. Its the party of tolerance at work.