Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

Newtown father lonely voice as Senate panel blasts Obama gun moves

  • Politics
  • by Ana Radelat
  • January 20, 2016
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"
Cuccinelli Barden Strange

Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son died in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, is flanked by other Senate hearing witnesses, former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, left, and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.

Washington – Mark Barden ,who lost his 7-year-old son Daniel in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, was outnumbered but undaunted Wednesday at a Senate hearing on President Obama’s recent moves to tighten gun laws.

“I am before you today as an informed, proud American. These modest proposals will go a long way toward not only saving lives, but also improving quality of life,” Barden testified. “And I am before you today as a grieving father who knows firsthand the cost of inaction.”

Barden is a founder of Sandy Hook Promise, a group formed after the Newtown school shootings claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and six staff members on Dec. 14, 2013.

No stranger to the rough and tumble of the debate over gun control on Capitol Hill, Barden said “shamefully, Congress has done nothing” to address what he calls an epidemic of gun violence.

But most of the other witnesses at the Appropriations subcommittee hearing,  invited to testify by the panel’s Republican majority, said the president has made an illegal power grab.

“The centerpiece of the president’s order – expanding background checks to close what some call the gun-show loophole – is not only an unwarranted assault on the Second Amendment, but it will also be ineffective in making a significant contribution toward reducing overall gun crimes,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.

Barden introduced the president when Obama made a Jan. 5 speech announcing he would use his executive authority to attempt to broaden FBI background checks of prospective gun buyers by broadening the definition of those who are “engaged in the business” of selling guns to dealers at guns shows and individuals who regularly sell guns over the Internet.

Obama also issued new regulations on who must give notice when gun shipments are lost, and he changed privacy laws to allow mental health professionals to report potentially dangerous patients for inclusion in the computerized National Instant Criminal Background Check System

But former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said the presidents’s actions “appear to be in some cases merely aspirational and in other cases intentionally intimidating and harassing of law-abiding citizens in an effort to shy away from selling guns they legally own.”

Cuccinelli and his partners formed the United Self Defense Law Firm that specializes in defending those who used their guns in what they said were acts of self-defense.

The hearing was held by a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that approves the Justice Department’s budget. It’s chairman,  Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., has

Shelby:

Shelby: “Chipping away at our Constitutional rights…”threatened to withhold funding for anything that he believes would infringe on the Second Amendment.

threatened to withhold funding for anything that he believes would infringe on the Second Amendment.

“It’s chipping away at our Constitutional rights,” Shelby said of Obama’s actions.

Other Republican members of the panel said the administration should instead focus on better enforcement of existing law.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the panel, said, “I sort of feel that this is a hearing about a document that I haven’t seen.” He asked that the president’s initiatives be included in the records of the hearing. “I would hope that those who have a strong opinion on this guidance to take the time to read it,” Murphy said.

Murphy also lit into the witnesses who were critical of the president’s plan.

He asked Strange “what are the key parts that are an assault on the Second Amendment?”

Strange hedged, but when pressed again by Murphy replied, “I don’t have that in front of me.”

Cuccinelli responded to Murphy’s questioning by saying the new definition of “engaged in the business” of buying guns was vague and would deter collectors and others who may not fit the definition from selling firearms.

In announcing its executive actions, the Obama administration did not say how many gun sales required an individual to obtain a federal license and conduct NICS sales.

Instead, they provide examples though a series of court cases.

Cuccinelli told Murphy there are “circuit-to-circuit” differences in court rulings on who should be.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch, meanwhile, defended Obama’s latest attempt to rein in gun violence, arguing that they’re well within his legal authority.

“I have complete confidence that the common-sense steps announced by the president are lawful. They are consistent with the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court and the laws passed by Congress,” she said.

When Murphy asked how much money was needed, Lynch said an additional $35 million is needed to hire the new agents for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI to “help improve the electronic platform of NICS.”

Obama has also asked Congress for an additional $500 million to boost mental health care, but that request has had a chilly reception.

After the contentious hearing, Cuccinelly and Strange had a long conversation about the issue.

“There’s a need to find common ground before we can move forward,” Barden said later. “It’s possible, but it’s not going to happen today.”

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ana Radelat Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Plan to expand child tax credit offers hope along with direct payments
by Lisa Backus | C-HIT.ORG

When her car started making a noise more than a year ago, Chinara Johnson parked the vehicle and hasn’t used it since. As a New Haven mother of 5-year-old twin boys, one of whom is on the autism spectrum, and an 8-year-old daughter, Johnson doesn’t have the money to get the car running properly again. […]

Republicans on key committee oppose no-excuse absentee ballot voting
by Mark Pazniokas

Republicans signaled Friday they will try to block fast-track action on a constitutional amendment allowing no-excuse voting by absentee ballot.

Ned Lamont’s year in the shadow of COVID
by Mark Pazniokas

Ned Lamont has been the face, voice, and interpreter of the COVID crisis, mourning deaths, explaining setbacks and cautiously celebrating.

With billions in federal relief on the way to CT, legislators assert their role in deciding how to spend it
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas

With an unusual bill, state legislators are reminding Gov. Ned Lamont they have significant role in disbursing federal coronavirus relief.

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wins vacant Senate seat
by Mark Pazniokas

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, won a special election to the state Senate.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Assisted suicide lobby spreads falsehoods to promote systemic ableism
by Stephen Mendelsohn

Proponents of assisted suicide repeatedly spread falsehoods to promote their lethal and ableist agenda.  The February 8 op-ed, “Aid in dying is not assisted suicide” is no exception. Suicide is defined as the act of taking one’s life intentionally.  The person who intentionally ingests a prescribed lethal overdose more closely fits the dictionary definition of suicide than the despondent person who jumps off a bridge.  The desire for suicide is a cry for help, even when redefined as a “medical treatment option.”

Opinion TCI will create a fourth gasoline tax
by Christian A. Herb

The Transportation Climate Initiative, or TCI, calls for a proposed emissions fee on gasoline to help battle climate change. On the surface, supporters say it is a small price to pay to help save the planet; and if you truly believe that this is the case, then you should consider voting for it. Despite the administration’s efforts to go out of their way to not call TCI a tax, the simple truth is that it will only create additional financial hardships on lower- and middle-income families struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

Opinion Let’s keep telehealth when the pandemic ends
by Steven Madonick, MD

Telehealth may lead to positive, even transformational changes in psychiatric care, and Connecticut needs to keep it after the pandemic. Connecticut needs to pass the necessary laws to continue telehealth and telephonic care.

Opinion The public health bill no one is talking about, but should be
by Brian Festa

On February 16,  the legislature's Public Health Committee conducted a public hearing on two bills, S.B. 568 and H.B. 6423, both of which would eliminate the religious exemption to mandatory vaccinations for Connecticut schoolchildren.  The hearing was capped at 24 hours, depriving nearly 1,500 members of the public who had registered for the hearing their opportunity to be heard.  The vast majority of those who did testify, and who submitted written testimony, opposed the bill.  The committee is expected to vote on the bill as early as  today. 

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO