Malloy urges lawmakers to make schools safer

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- The response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook dominated the first part of the Governor's annual State of the State address today.

It's been less than four weeks since the shooting that left twenty children and six adults dead and that shooting is expected to dominate the first part of this year's General Assembly session.

In Washington today, Vice President Joe Biden met with several gun control groups as he works on preparing a national response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook.

In Hartford, the Governor and state lawmakers are planning to lead the way.

In his speech today the Governor sent a very clear statement to the NRA, the gun rights organization that has called for an armed guard in every school.

"When it comes to preventing future acts of violence in our schools...let me say this; more guns are not the answer," said Gov. Malloy. "Freedom is not a handgun on the hip of every teacher, and security should not mean a guard posted outside every classroom. That is not who we are in Connecticut, and it is not who we will allow ourselves to become."

But the head of the state's largest gun rights organization noted today that some towns are moving ahead with plans to hire armed security at some schools.

"The Governor may be right but towns are adopting thier own standards and that's the way it should be," said Bob Crook of the Coalition of CT Sportsmen.

While the Governor and legislative leaders are promising quick action on gun control laws, the Governor believes Washington must act but many here today believe what this legislature does will impact what happens in Washington.

"The world will be watching this legislature and seeing whether action is possible...whether bi-partisan coalitions can come together and help prevent gun violence," said Democratic Senator Dick Blumenthal.

The Republican leader in the House said today he expects bi-partisan support on the eventual changes in the state's gun laws.

"I hope Washington is watching, not only watching what we do, but how we do it," said Republican Minority Leader Rep. Larry Cafero.

"We have to play a leadership role, move very quickly and make a very resounding statement to the nation that this is something that we have to start taking seriously," said Demoratic Speaker of the House Rep. Brendan Sharkey.

The Governor also acknowledged there will be much work to do to address the billion dollar projected budget deficit for next year and the issues of job creation and energy but that violence and school safety must be addressed first.