Conn. lawmakers seek federal funds for Newtown

May 16, 2013 @ 9:47 am

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Members of Connecticut's congressional delegation are attempting to secure federal funds to help Newtown build a new elementary school after last year's massacre _ and they say senators owe the residents after failing to support legislation that would have expanded background checks for certain gun purchases.

U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, all Democrats, said Thursday they plan to offer legislation next week that would modify an existing grant that funds mental health counselors and overtime costs after tragedies such as the Dec. 14 shooting.

Murphy acknowledged it will be "a heavy lift" because the federal government does not fund school construction.

A Newtown task force recently decided to tear down Sandy Hook Elementary School and replace it with a new building.


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  • Newton wrote...
    Its people like you Ron.
    December 15, 2012 6:42 am
    That are the Scum of this Earth!.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Considering your 'staged event' post .......
    December 15, 2012 6:58 am
    Being called scum by you is a compliment.

    Thanks.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Now Newton
    December 15, 2012 3:19 pm
    We are discussing the murder of children and guns so try to stay with the conversation. No need for name calling. It is Christmas...right? .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Fish
    December 16, 2012 12:26 pm
    Do you realize that you made this 3:19 post 1 minute after a post by you referring to the Federal Reserve?Do you ever think about what you post or do you far righty opinions simply ooze out of your mouth with NO THOUGHT what so ever? Your a PERFECT EXAMPLE of the Mindless Right
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Daddy wrote...
    school shooting
    December 15, 2012 8:02 am
    When I heard the news of this yesterday I was just shocked and wanted to blame everything on guns and found myself mad at our government and the school system and of corse the shooter, but after a some what sleepless night I woke and thought how can I possibly tell my 4 year old daughter she can't go to school next year because it's not safe? Well you Know what I'm not going to because this problem isn't just the fault of the school system, government,or shooter. The blame lands flat square on you and me!!! Yes it's our fault We are the ones that let our kids down that put their lives in danger, we are the ones that voted for people to make the best plan to keep our kids safe and to give them an education, and after yesterday I don't think it's working very well. So as a parent I am going to do something to assure my daughters safety and to give her the education she deserves . In my mind there is no budget when it comes to the safety of our kids, I could go on all day about this but for now I ask for everyone to please post ideas and comments and hug your child and think hard about how to keep our kids safe, today I'm sad and sorry.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    @Daddy....OK, my suggestion would be for everyone to secure their firearm. Either a trigger lock or gun safe would be the responsible thing to do for those who don't already.
    December 15, 2012 2:30 pm
    I'm not saying this will end all gun crime. But it may have prevented the two most recent rampages. If the mother had secured her guns properly, maybe the son doesn't have access and we aren't planning funerals the week before Christmas. Each of us who owns a firearm is accountable to the citizens of the communities in which we live. So take the worst case scenario into account. Just because a weapon is locked inside a house doesn't mean it's secure. With Rights comes greater responsibility.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Daddy wrote...
    you bet
    December 15, 2012 6:04 pm
    This is a very good comment and a good idea, as I for one have done today, also I would like to thank everyone that has posted today and their ideas. I went to talk to my 92 year old uncle who served in WW11 and told him what I posted today he agreed with me and I felt better he also said some things that made me think about the state our country is in and what should be done and to tell you the truth he may be right but it scares me to think that it would be good for my family I don't know so I'll let you tell me what you think. Uncle Rolly thinks if we put up a 25 foot fence around the structure and have guards 4 and aft to check any one coming and going also a gaud with a dog walking the fenced in area and cameras at doors in and out and he went on and on and I left thinking he might be rite. Anyway Im glad someone here read my post, thank you. Jim
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  • RonJ wrote...
    How do you enforce a law about trigger locks etc?
    December 16, 2012 12:48 pm
    That is the whole issue here, laws do not prevent people from doing things, neither do the police.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    @RonJ.....I was talking about personal RESPONSIBILITY, not a law.
    December 16, 2012 2:24 pm
    Every gun owner has the responsibility to properly secure their weapon. It goes with gun ownership. If you need a law to tell you that, fine. If someone chooses to not secure that firearm, maybe they shouldn't own one. You may have the right to carry a gun. I just hope you have eyes in the back of your head, lest someone take it from you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NWGUY wrote...
    who decided to ban the teachers from carrying?
    December 15, 2012 6:55 pm
    That's where I would start? when did it become the standard, those are the people and process I would go after, that experiment failed, and should be reversed.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    That ban is a useless
    December 16, 2012 11:29 am
    waste of effort that does NOTHING except make somebody FEEL good, and that's what counts more than results, right? FEELINGS! Personally I carry no matter where I am, 24/7/365. No one knows if no one knows. Am I breaking some useless law? You betcha. If I or someone around me ever need it I'll be glad I had it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    Very sad commentary
    December 15, 2012 9:25 am
    On our society, our tagedies continue and we look for the quick fix. We all must remember we raised the society we live in.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    The bleak future
    December 15, 2012 9:42 am
    Wonder why our future looks bleak to 20 year old young men?They see the handwriting on the wall , no jobs , debt , debt for their kids , debt for their kids kids.Wonder why gun sales have gone through the roof under President Obama's watch?Wonder why these shootings happen under President Obama's watch..no HOPE!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    Ron_Spins
    December 15, 2012 4:35 pm
    Listen, I think Obama is the 2nd worst president in US history, but he didn't invent hopelessness. He exacerbates it, but Columbine was not under Obama...and there is no evidence that this guy murdered children because he felt hopeless, so I don't lay this at Obama's feet.

    Quick, someone get some smelling salts for the libs on the board!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Garbage Media. Witnesses report 4 gunman.
    December 15, 2012 9:39 am
    Thats right a staged event with four gunman witnessed walking into the school all dressed in black. You idiots who think it was one guy. Could not be more wrong about this. James Holmes the Batman movie killer witness reported more then one person these are staged events to take away your second amendment right that all your rights are hinged to. Look up paul watson four gunman in the Conn. shooting. Another scam being pulled over on the people of the U.S.A.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Newton
    December 15, 2012 10:03 am
    You need help. No way are these staged. Who would stage events like these? As I said before, I hope you do not have access to guns. So you get your news from prisonplanet.com.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NWGUY wrote...
    Some Muslim's and al queda
    December 15, 2012 6:53 pm
    stage deadly events all the time? are they the only ones? Mexican drug lords also kill alot of people, Why do you think there are no people in the US, that would do the same for their goals? Stalin killed lots of people in staged events, so did Hitler, and so did Mau, so apparently, those that have the power to do so, don't feel so bad about doing it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    Nearly 500
    December 15, 2012 10:17 am
    young black males have been murdered this year in my hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Where is the Obama press conference?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Ron J
    December 15, 2012 10:52 am
    Obama (and the liberals) can't make hay with Detroit and Chicago.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    Exactly!
    December 16, 2012 11:33 am
    So young white kids are worth more than black ones.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Hmmmmm
    December 15, 2012 3:24 pm
    And how many from Chicago, the Black in Black murder capital of Obama? Never hear a peep about all those people being murdered with guns.... Does anyone think that they'd be screaming to take their guns away?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    maplefish
    December 15, 2012 4:44 pm
    Never hear a peep about all those people being murdered with guns.

    Liberals are racists, of course they aren't going to complain about blacks being murdered in record numbers in places like Chicago.

    Just a day or two ago CNN had a photo of Syrian refugees...and the photo was of a blonde Syrian child. You know CNN had to look long and hard to find a blond Syrian to use as the face of refugees. Clearly they felt more common complexions wouldn't convey their propaganda as well.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NWGUY wrote...
    obama hates blacks
    December 15, 2012 6:54 pm
    so they don't count when the kill on another.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    The only thing nearly as offensive as the death of the innocent kids
    December 15, 2012 11:35 am
    has been the reaction from an entirely predictable quarter, "OH NO! The liberals are going to try to use this as an excuse to take away our guns!"

    It's obvious some folks have no shame, but it's disturbing to find even common decency in short supply.

    Both sides, pro-gun and anti-gun, should at least let the bodies cool before trying to make political fodder out of 20 dead kids.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Chuck
    December 15, 2012 11:43 am
    It was the MSM and Obama who brought up gun control right after these murders, so don't blame us. I also know a lot of liberals who own guns so this is not a right versus left issue. Have you read the news today with politicians across the country using these 20 dead kids for political fodder???? IMO, Chuck, you are clueless.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Rick (4): Anybody who was not a knee jerk reactionary would have read my post before replying
    December 15, 2012 12:01 pm
    Had you read my post, you would have found this line:

    "Both sides, pro-gun and anti-gun, should at least let the bodies cool before trying to make political fodder out of 20 dead kids."

    But since you bring it up, let's look at the difference between the people who are cluelessly and without class using this event to call for a gun ban and those who are cluelessly and without class using this event to defend gun ownership, (or even recommend a more widespread availability of hand guns).

    The first classless and clueless group saying "Yepper's, this here just proves we should be bannin' them thar firearms" is making a (very bad) proposal to hopefully prevent similar situations in the future.

    The second classless and clueless group saying "See, this here just proves that we need to have more guns available to the law abidin' citizens so some teacher or janitor in that school could have killed the gunman before so many kids died" is more immediately concerned with an imaginary threat to their personal arsenals than with the murder of all those kids in Newtown.

    Godds sake, people. This is not the time to turn this into a political debate. If your right to own a firearm is more important to you than the unspeakable loss at that school, have the good grace and decency to keep your yap shut, for now. If your desire to prevent other people from owning firearms is more important to you than the unspeakable loss at that school, also have the good grace and decency to keep your yap shut, for now.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Chuck Gould's yap
    December 15, 2012 1:52 pm
    has been flapping ad nauseam on this subject ..keep expounding Chuck.. this article we are posting on here is asking why?Control freak much?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Well Chuck
    December 15, 2012 3:28 pm
    Go back and pay attention to who did an ALWAYS fires the first shot! it's the whiney asssss Liberals. The Gun Control SCREAM was IMMEDIATE from the left. Stop trying to act like you are holier than thou. You oil NO ONE this time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    You FOOL no one
    December 15, 2012 9:20 pm
    This time. Shame on you Chuck. You are a pretty smart guy, but the LEFT came out immediately, before we actually had details, and started SCREAMING about banning guns and MORE GUN CONTROL! YOU know it and you know it happens every single time something horrible like this happens. I vividly, remember when Gabby Gifford was shot, the left blamed everything on the NRA. I remember as soon as they ound out the shooter was a LEFT WING NUT HEAD, Obama, himself telling everyone to "tone down the angry rhetoric".... You on the LEFT are flat out HYPOCRITES....and you are of that exact ilk. Sorry Chuck, but your true liberal colors are shining bright and clear on this issue....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    Chuck Gould
    December 15, 2012 4:42 pm
    What you fail to grasp is the pro-gun folks were correct...the left didn't bother to wait until the bodies were cold before they started promoting their political agenda. Liberals are ghouls, willing to use the death of little children to promote their agendas. Pure evil. I continue to refer to the republican party as the party of stupid, and the democrat party as the party of evil, and neither provide cause to change that opinion.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    In this case (and in others) guns were used. BUT....
    December 15, 2012 8:36 pm
    The problem - as it has been for the past 3000 years or so - is violence and man's inhumanity to his fellow man.

    I agree 100%. The debate can devolve to its usual level later.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    Chuck your short on change
    December 16, 2012 11:36 am
    if you think people can't be concerned by more than one issue/event at a time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Rick Your your the classic Idiot I speak of.
    December 15, 2012 11:35 am
    Look up the facts rick. 55 thousand people died in mexico by GUNS and in Mexico its ileagl to own a guns. Thats because all the criminals have guns. Criminals love to kill rob the unarmed public. Chicago crime is off the charts since putting a no gun ban law on the city books because criminals love an un armed citizen. Notice how they picked on a no gun city of newtown Conn. Yes Criminals the cowards that they are love to pick on an unarmed group of people. Children in this case. Rick your are one Sick SOB who can disregard the facts like you do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    @Newton
    December 15, 2012 11:37 am
    You are filled with hate and are paranoid that these killings are staged. You need to mental health care IMO.

    I fully support the first amendment and am a gun owner. It is people like you who give us a bad name.

    P.S. I suggest you stop getting your news from wacky web sites.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    sorry I meant 2nd amendment
    December 15, 2012 11:47 am
    ...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    well I hope and trust
    December 15, 2012 8:38 pm
    you support the first amendment as well.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Newton
    December 15, 2012 11:41 am
    I told you before that guns ARE LEGAL in Mexico they are just more careful who gets them. Those drug cartels have the $$$ to buy their weapons from Americans who want to Capitalize on the drug terrorism that exists in Mexico which result from the USAs unquenchable thirst for DRUGS. Until the THIRST is done away with Mexico will continue to suffer
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick (4) wrote...
    So messiah101, you support the war on drugs.
    December 15, 2012 11:46 am
    I guess you voted NO on legalizing pot as well. The drug cartels do not need to buy guns as the US Justice Department is giving guns to them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Rick 4
    December 15, 2012 1:35 pm
    No I don't support the war on drugs that war was LOST years ago.The drug cartels have the resources to buy guns be it from the US government or Texas gun runners at least the government was using guns to gain an inside to the cartels.Law enforcement has used that technique in all countries of the world for many many years.Nothing new about it
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    M101
    December 15, 2012 3:37 pm
    Ask Eric Holder about guns & Mexico....& the War on Drugs....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • PHR wrote...
    Back to the subject at hand
    December 15, 2012 4:38 pm
    There has to be more policemen on duty during school hours than schools. What if one was stationed in each schools office. I see 2 benifits to this. one would be children would be protected and 2nd the police could do some actual good rather than hide in the bushes and write chickens%%t tickets. I know its fun to blame guns everytime something like this happens but we really should focus on solutions that will actualy work.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • NWGUY wrote...
    well, the plan
    December 15, 2012 7:02 pm
    to ban guns from staff at school, isn't working, perhaps they should cancel that experiment, since it's failing, and provide training for those teachers that want to carry? Since they have our precious kids there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    NWGUY
    December 15, 2012 7:17 pm
    Your post prompted a thought. Why not teach about firearms and their use in schools. The libs think teaching young kids about the detail of homosexual sex and how to apply a condom is useful how about teaching about firearm safety and a respect for the harm guns can do. Schools used to have gun clubs and shooting teams and there wasn't as many shootings...they have arisen since the libs have tried to turn firearms into a bugaboo.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    The Connection to the Libor Bank Scandle.
    December 15, 2012 7:38 pm
    Its getting starnger. Cops on radio find another shooter in the woods. Shooters father connected to the libor bank scandle as a witness.?? This is getting deep.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Ok Newton
    December 15, 2012 9:28 pm
    You are making me laugh....but it is getting close to Christmas and our Government does its dirtiest, sneakiest work around this time of year when it's citizens aren't paying attention....Federal Reserve....Obama Care....Emergency White House gun control petition....Eric Holder said it himself; " We've got to get guns out of the hands of the public"...anyway, my heart is still broken for that community. Those poor little children. Their parents. The ripple effect that will last forever....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WAmovesRight wrote...
    How come these aren't publicised...
    December 16, 2012 2:41 pm
    • A 1997 high school shooting in Pearl, Miss., was halted by the school's vice principal after he retrieved the Colt .45 he kept in his truck.

    • A 1998 middle school shooting ended when a man living next door heard gunfire and apprehended the shooter with his shotgun.

    • A 2002 terrorist attack at an Israeli school was quickly stopped by an armed teacher and a school guard.

    • A 2002 law school shooting in Grundy, Va., came to an abrupt conclusion when students carrying firearms confronted the shooter.

    • A 2007 mall shooting in Ogden, Utah, ended when an armed off-duty police officer intervened.

    • A 2009 workplace shooting in Houston, Texas, was halted by two coworkers who carried concealed handguns.

    • A 2012 church shooting in Aurora, Colo., was stopped by a member of the congregation carrying a gun.

    • At the recent mall shooting in Portland, Ore., the gunman took his own life minutes after being confronted by a shopper carrying a concealed weapon.

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