HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut's governor is vowing to take action to prevent another tragedy like the Newtown school massacre.
Governor Dannel P. Malloy said in his State of the State address Wednesday that he will do everything in his power to stop further violence. But he did not offer any specific proposals.
Malloy became emotional today as he spoke about the teachers and a therapist who sacrificed their lives to protect students, apologizing after he paused during his State of the State address to gain his composure.
He stressed that ``more guns are not the answer'' and ``freedom is not a handgun on the hip of every teacher.'' He said ``security should not mean a guard posted outside every classroom.''
Both Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra and Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson were on hand for the address.
An advisory panel he set up last week is due to issue recommendations in March on gun control and other issues arising from the shooting rampage nearly a month ago that left 27 people dead.
Malloy, a Democrat, is moving cautiously in a relatively liberal Northeastern state that has a strong gun culture and is home to some of the nation's best-known firearm makers.
Among them is Colt.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is coming on strong for gun control, giving a fiery speech that pushes the state to the front of the national debate.
Cuomo called Wednesday in his State of the State address for tougher state bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines of ammunition, even as New York's gun control laws are already among the most restrictive in the nation.
In his argument, Cuomo cited the Newtown, Conn., school massacre and the West Webster, N.Y., deadly ambush on two firefighters.
Cuomo said, ``No one hunts with an assault rifle. No one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer.'' Then he added, ``End the madness now!''
WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration is meeting with the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups as officials look for ways to curb violence linked to guns.
Vice President Joe Biden is leading an administration-wide review of gun safety laws, vowing urgent action in the wake of last month's massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.
The meeting with the NRA is one of three Biden has scheduled for Thursday, as he prepares to make recommendations on gun policy by the end of the month. Besides the session with the NRA, Biden and other officials also are sitting down with sportsmen and wildlife interest groups, as well as people from the entertainment industry.
Biden met Wednesday with gun-control advocates and crime victims.
