Legislative leaders to announce Newtown task force

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut legislators are announcing the formation of their own task force on gun violence prevention and children's safety following the tragic shooting at Newtown's Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Democratic and Republican leaders of the General Assembly are scheduled to discuss the panel Tuesday.

Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, a Republican from Fairfield, has said here's a "genuine interest in working together" on a multi-faceted package of bills to be passed this session in response to the massacre that left 20 first graders and six educators at the school dead.

He said the committee would act as a clearinghouse for the numerous proposals being offered. The group would also keep tabs on another task force created by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. That group will make preliminary recommendations to Malloy in March.