Crisco votes to approve gun violence prevention bill

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, today joined a bipartisan majority of his Senate colleagues and voted to approve comprehensive gun violence prevention measures for the state to include new responsibilities for gun owners, school security provisions, and improved access to mental health services. 

The bill approved by the Senate today is a direct result of the Dec. 14 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that left 20 children and six adults dead. 

Its details are the byproduct of an extensive public hearing process and protracted negotiations among legislative leaders of both political parties.

“In one single day last fall Connecticut instantly became the focus of a national outcry for common sense efforts to prevent these episodes that have become all-too-common and simply unacceptable in our culture,” Crisco said. 

“Today’s legislative action includes a broad range of initiatives calling for greater accountability for gun ownership and a fortified effort to address shortcomings in delivering behavioral health services.”

Crisco served on the Mental Health Services Working Group of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety. He said he was pleased to see many of its recommendations included in the bill that was approved today.

“The best aspect of the mental health services portion of this bill requires the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to work with the state Department of Education to provide training in mental health first aid – that is to say, the ability to recognize warning signs for behavioral health disorders so services can be made available,” Crisco said. 

“We have an obligation to public school students in Connecticut to identify and then address their needs as they grow and develop and this provision for mental health first aid training goes a long way in that regard.”

Crisco said that upon passage, today’s bill immediately advances to the House of Representatives for its consideration and debate. 

Provisions of the bill are said to have broad support in the House; Gov. Malloy has already indicated he will sign the bill if the House approves it.

This post is taken from a press release from Crisco's office. 

Valley residents mourn at Derby vigil

Last night I covered the Valley's candlelight vigil in memory of those lost in the school slayings in Sandy Hook.
It was held on the Derby Green, and I was struck by the large number of people - hundreds - who attended.

Ansonia Mayor James Della Volpe said, "It's a tremendous turnout for a night like this. People are looking for an outlet," he said, and want to be with others in the community.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile commented, "It's great to see such a big crowd here. It shows how big our hearts are in our small community of Derby."
   

People huddled under umbrellas waiting for the vigil to start. The festive Christmas lights seemed out of place at first, but I soon saw them as symbolizing hope for a brighter future for our community and our nation.


At the start of the service, Pablo Barriga, campus facilitator, New Life Community Church in Derby, told the crowd, "We have seen the devil at his worst. Let us now believe we shall see God at His best."  

Norwich resident Swaranghit Singh holds a sign showing support of the victims of Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. About 50 members of the Sikh community attended the vigil Sunday night.

Singh said the shootings reminded him of the August slayings of six Sikhs at a temple in Wisconsin. He said the Sikh community will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Friday at its temple, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, 1610 West St., Southington.

 Angela Descheen, 3, of Derby, shows us there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.