Obama Gives Impassioned Speech on Gun Control at University of Hartford

This story was reported and written by Eileen McNamara. To read full coverage of the president's visit and to view more photos and video, go to the West Hartford Patch. 

In a sometimes fiery speech at the University of Hartford President Barack Obama lauded Connecticut for its passage of tough gun laws and said "Now it's the time for Congress to do the same."

He also promised the families of the Newtown victims that he and the country have not forgotten their anguish or the promise that lawmakers made them and that he will continue to stand with them. 

"Newtown, we will not walk away from the promises we made," he said.
 
In particular the president said Congress needs to address the issue of background checks for gun purchases, saying 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks and drawing laughter from the crowd when he added, "How often do 90 percent of Americans agree on anything?"

"It's time for Congress to act ... so people who are dangerous to themselves and others cannot get their hands on a gun," he added. "Yet some folks back in Washington are ... saying they'll do anything they can to even prevent votes on this."

Those comments prompted chants from the crowd of "We want a vote." 

"This is not about me. This is not about politics. This is about preventing this from happening again. This is not about politics. This is about these families."

He said politicians, like those here in Connecticut, need to start talking to one another, and "not past each other," on the issue of gun control. "Now's the time to push back on fear, frustration and misinformation." 

"The day Newtown happened was the toughest day of my presidency but I gotta tell you, if we don't respond to this, that will be  a tough day too. We've got to expect more from ourselves and we've got to expect more from Congress. Every now and then we have to set politics aside and just do what's right."

Before giving his speech, the president met backstage at the University of Hartford with the families of Newtown victims. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told the audience that Connecticut stands proud to serve as an example to the rest of the country in standing up to gun lobbyists and passing tough gun laws.