Thousands attend gun law rally in Conn.

HARTFORD, Conn. Thousands of people have turned out at the Connecticut state capitol to call on lawmakers to toughen gun laws in light of the December elementary school shooting in Newtown that left 26 students and educators dead.

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Capitol Police estimate that 5,500 people are participating in the rally organized by the group March for Change. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state legislators are among them.

Malloy told the crowd that the shooting has forever changed the public debate over guns and "we will not rest" until laws such as universal background checks are passed.

Organizer Nancy Lefkowitz says people's hearts are broken over the loss of 20 first-graders and six educators.

Many of those in attendance were mothers, reports CBS affiliate WFSB in Hartford. They chanted "the time is now" and asked political leaders to find ways to protect their children.

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Henrietta Beckman, whose son was murdered in 2002, plans to speak at the rally.

"There's no reason that anybody in this country needs an assault weapon with that capacity, none whatsoever," Beckman told WFSB Wednesday night. "Speak up. It's not a silent majority. We've got to be loud."

Some attendees said that they respect second amendment rights, but do not see the need for assault weapons or high capacity magazines.

A community forum titled "A Farewell to Arms" was held in Hartford Wednesday night where people discussed gun control as a public health crisis.

"We talk about Newtown and how many died that day," said Deborah Lewis, a member of the Connecticut Chapter of One Million Moms for Gun Control. "Did you know that there were 80 people who died that day and 80 people who die of gun violence every other day of the week?"

[frankie2fing]

Love it. Each and every one of you fools spouted NRA or Fox bs. From criminals not getting their guns legally (if you are and idiot and it is stolen from you, you should not have a gun in the first place), which is STRAIGHT from the NRA as a made up fact, to assault weapon not used at Sandy Hook (it was the ONLY gun used, legally purchased by the perp's mother). I have no problem with gun, I own a shotgun. It is for hunting, but I guess I could press it in self defense action, should a ZOMBIE apocalypse occur.
What the HEII are you all afraid of? I have worked in many areas of a large city. Never have I been afraid. It is your paranoia, which, btw, should preclude you from owning ANY weapon...
As for you 'dad', I will pray for you children. Not for their safety, the odds are they are not in danger, but for their mental well being since they are being raised by such an idiot. May God have mercy on their souls...

[benjuswar]

you really have no clue Frankie. the majority of the guns used in crimes were never acquired legally. and regardless if they were they were then stolen. taking rights from law abiding citizens does nothing. enacting more and stricter gun laws would not have prevented any of the shootings recently or the ones that continue daily all over the country.

[Canttouchthis223]

It's all about the children Frankie. I'm a father of two and it doesn't change my knowledge that the politicians are using the most current and horrible tragedy to leverage their political agendas to our disarmament. I am a law abiding citizen and responsible gun owner. I have a AR-15 bushmaster rifle and I could care less what the new legislation brings. Smaller capacity mags? I'll reload 2. Outright ban? Highly doubtful and I can feel and enjoy your anger. Regardless I'm grandfathered. Retro? Good luck.

Stop swallowing the **** your being fed about giving up your rights making the world safe. The only tool here is you.

[highlndr55]

Frankie, if you only listen to the liberal media you do not get the facts about Gun Rights. You only get the Obama Agenda to try and disarm the citizens. There are so many citizens from ALL party affiliations that possess guns they can't be all tools. We all care about the children who have been killed by all forms of violence, the least by guns. If you can come up with solid evidence that restricting our Constitutional Right would curb gun violence maybe people will listen to your thought with consideration. If you can't move on to a topic you actually know something about.

[benjuswar]

I love how you pointed it out as Obama's agenda. I agree totally. I find it funny how in the case of the Newton shooting the assault rifles never left the guys car, but the first thing those supporting stricter gun laws did is ignore that fact and scream and cry "This never would have happened without "assault rifles".

[Canttouchthis223]

It's all about the children Frankie. I'm a father of two and it doesn't change my knowledge that the politicians are using the most current and horrible tragedy to leverage their political agendas to our disarmament. I am a law abiding citizen and responsible gun owner. I have a AR-15 bushmaster rifle and I could care less what the new legislation brings. Smaller capacity mags? I'll reload 2. Outright ban? Highly doubtful and I can feel and enjoy your anger. Regardless I'm grandfathered. Retro? Good luck.

Stop swallowing the **** your being fed about giving up your rights making the world safe. The only tool here is you.

[madpatriot]

I love you libs that have absolutely no facts that are correct. Criminals get their guns through other criminals or they steal them while doing their job (b&e, robbery, ect). The cities in this country that have the highest gun violence also have the hardest gun laws. There was a marine that was murdered today in chicago by "assault weapons" while he shielded his kids. Gangbangers don't care about any laws and will not follow them ie chicago. If you choose not to defend yourself I get it firearms intimidate alot of people. If I am around and stop you from being mugged or rapped you will be thankful I was there with a firearm. I am part of a civilian group that helps our local law enforcement do certain tasks. I wear a uniform and carry a pistol on my fully loaded duty belt. I spent 4 years in the military and I love my country. I own several military type weapons from collectable to modern and I do not want to give them up. The newtown shooting was a horrific act done by a madman who stole the weapons because he could not legally get them. Enforce the laws we have and don't punish the law abiding people who enjoy their firearms for pleasure and self defense.

[frankie2fing]

How many Japanese were killed by guns last year? Canadians? Australians? French? Sweds? ETC, ETC, ETC. Sigh, makes no difference. Gun nuts do not care how many children are killed. They were probably liberals, so they deserved it, right?

[Jackk27]

Yeah! Tougher gun laws!

That'll keep guns out of criminal's hands!

How can so many people possibly be that damn stupid?

[frankie2fing]

Well since by most accounts criminal get guns through legitimate channels, either direct purchase or have gun nuts like you purchase guns for them, I'd say it might just work. But as long as you have your hands on a phallus (compensate much?), it makes no difference how many children die. It is the price for YOUR freedom.

Teabaggers are such tools.