WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama announced plans to use his executive authority to push new gun control measures on Tuesday, and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy was in attendance at the event, where he sat next to families of Connecticut's Newtown tragedy and watched as the president was brought to tears.
"It was a moving experience," said Malloy. "The strength that he has, the willingness to go after this issue to move the ball forward time and time again is tremendous. I support him in this."
Under Malloy, Connecticut passed some of the strictest gun control measures in the nation, following the tragedy at Sandy Hook. Just last month, Malloy pushed further, saying if Congress wasn’t going to act on passing a law to prevent those on the federal no-fly terror watch list from buying guns, Connecticut would. He announced plans to issue an executive order, though that is still pending.
Hours after the Washington ceremony, Malloy joined FOX 61's Jenn Bernstein on the News at 5 to discuss the measures Obama is taking, and his position on the matter:
In the meantime, while Congress remains gridlocked, Connecticut's federal leaders fully support tighter gun measures, including Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty.
"The mood in that room with activists from around the country, people who have lost loved ones to gun violence was so encouraged by the president's commitment," said Rep. Esty.
The congresswoman, along with Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, were briefed by the president Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, Blumenthal and Murphy praised the president's actions.
"The actions that the president is taking today, well within his authority as the chief executive, will save lives," Murphy said.
"These measures are modest, but monumental because they move forward more effective enforcement," Blumenthal said.
On the other side of the issue is the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.
President Scott Wilson believes President Obama is overstepping his authority, attacking the rights of law-abiding citizens.
"There's been no mention of increasing criminal penalties for straw purchasers or straw sellers, there's been no mention of criminal penalties for people who do use a firearm to commit a violent crime," said Wilson. "We think this sends the wrong message."
Wilson says the majority of violent crimes are committed with stolen firearms or illegally obtained guns.
While Wilson said he believes the president is going about it the wrong way, CCDL is cautiously optimistic about one of the measures mentioned: an increase in the number of federal agents involved in executing nation's background check system. The organization has been highly critical of it, saying the system is underfunded and under resourced.
