HARTFORD, Conn. — The conversation surrounding gun violence continued for students at UConn Law. Kristin Song told the emotional story of her son Ethan to prospective lawyers. Panelists called the issue of guns a public health concern being influenced by public activism.
"I am pre-January 31, Kristin and I am post January 31, Kristin," said Kristin Song.
Song is one of the many people that have had their lives alerted by gun violence. She lost her son Ethan when he accidentally shot himself at a friend’s home in 2018.
RELATED: Expect More Now: Ethan Song’s family works through grief to make changes in gun safety laws
"Not only does it shatter your family, it shatters your community. It changes everybody," said Song.
Song was joined on a panel with Po Murray of Newtown Action Alliance, Joshua Koskoff the lawyer representing Sandy Hook against Remington Arms, and Senator Richard Blumenthal.
"It affects every community everywhere in this country. Nobody is immune to it," said Blumenthal.
The panel was hosted by the UConn Law Public Interest group. Koskoff talked about a lawyer's responsibility and role in upholding the constitution including the second amendment. He says part of that is to promote the general welfare of the public and domestic tranquility.
"To really use the constitution is to use the principles set forth in the preamble," said Koskoff. "I think that those principles completely support only one side of this issue."
They weren’t just focusing on guns. Early education on social and emotional learning can help teach children how to deescalate situations before resulting to violence. Blumenthal says this could help decrease gun and domestic violence.
Song has worked to provide violence counselors to work with at-risk students in urban areas to help diffuse violent situations before they occur.
"They really do live in a war zone and they have PTSD and they have almost no resources," said Song.
Song told lawyers interested in pursuing gun reform to be ready for the long road ahead.
"Every obstacle can be overcome. It really can. You just have to have the mindset that it will and you’ll do it," said Song.
Ethan’s law was passed here in Connecticut last year with input from the Connecticut Citizens Defense League. The Songs are now pushing for a federal version of the law.