Nashville

CT Delegation is ‘Heartbroken' by Nashville School Shooting

NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Connecticut delegation is responding after the Nashville school shooting, using words like heartbreaking and cataclysmic to describe the tragedy.

At least three children and three adults were killed in a shooting at The Covenant School Monday morning, according to police.

Governor Ned Lamont is directing all flags be lowered to half staff to solemnly respect the victims of the Nashville shooting until March 31.

“I am sickened and heartbroken by another mass shooting at a school by a person with assault weapons,” Lamont said. “Our elected leaders in Congress have become too complacent and comfortable with doing nothing to protect Americans from this epidemic of gun violence. The overwhelming majority of Americans support meaningful reforms on gun violence prevention and it is far past time that Congress acts.”

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D - 3rd District) said the tragedy is all too common.

"Parents, families, and communities are left devastated on a daily basis in this country as a result of rapid gun violence. We can and must enact legislation that saves lives no matter how long it takes," DeLauro said.

Sen. Chris Murphy said the shooting is uniquely catastrophic to the families of the children and teachers who died.

"Every kid and adult in that school is a victim. Most of them will experience life-altering trauma that we can never understand and will never go away," Murphy said.

The senator went on to say that assault weapons need to be banned. Murphy said mass shootings dropped significantly when the 1994 ban went into effect, and when the ban expired, they spiked.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Congress needs to take action to prevent senseless tragedies such as this one.

"Children dead and gravely injured. Casualties of gunfire...Our thoughts and prayers are not enough," Murphy said.

Rep. John Larson (D - 1st District) said it's devastating to hear of innocent lives being lost due to senseless gun violence.

“In Connecticut, we know all too well the pain these shootings inflict on families and communities, more than a decade after 26 lives were stolen from us at Sandy Hook Elementary. Only three months into the year, there have already been more than 100 mass shootings nationwide. It is regretful that our society has grown numb to the pain of these tragedies, as they have quickly become the norm when we turn on the news – and to think – once again, it is our children who are paying the price," Larson said.

He said there's no excuse for leaders to refuse to take action.

"While Congress was able to pass some common-sense reforms to address mental health and gun safety last year, more must be done. It is time to take bold action, not baby steps. We must demand universal background checks for all gun purchases and an assault weapons ban. Americans, especially our children, have a right to feel safe in school and at work, and should not have to worry that they may not return home to their families at the end of the day. I will not rest until we get this job done," Larson said.

Contact Us