Ten Years After Sandy Hook, Blumenthal Joins Families & Survivors to Honor Victims of Gun Violence

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined members of the Newtown Action Alliance, survivors, advocates, and families of gun violence victims at a press conference marking the tenth anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The event followed last night’s annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence honoring the more than one million American victims and survivors of gun violence since December 2012.

“We have seen in Connecticut firsthand the tragedy of Sandy Hook and other shootings day after day. And that’s why we have some of the strongest gun violence prevention laws in the country,” said Blumenthal. “But we know that no state is protected unless all are protected, because guns have no respect for state borders. They come across state lines, and that’s why Congress needs to do its job.”

Joining Blumenthal at the event were U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John B. Larson (D-CT), and Jim Himes (D-CT). After hearing touching stories from the gun violence survivors and families of lost loved ones, Blumenthal praised the advocates for their courage and activism.   

“You are here to tell us to do our job. And I’m grateful to every one of you, everyone one of you who is here, everyone who is here in spirit because you are making a difference,” said Blumenthal. “The reason why we were able to pass the Safer Communities Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, is because of you. Your activism, your advocacy is what is driving gun violence prevention. And it is enabling us to break the grip of the NRA and the gun lobby and the gun industry on the Congress.”

Photos from the event can be found here. A recording of the press conference is available here.

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