Biden: Scare tactics shouldn't block gun reforms Biden: Scare tactics shouldn't block gun-control reforms

DANBURY -- Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday headlined a political pep rally designed to persuade the nation that the tragic Newtown school shootings must be met with sweeping gun-control reforms.

"We know we can't save every single life," Biden told a conference on gun violence. "But it's simply unacceptable to not act.

"We have to speak for those 20 beautiful children who died 69 days ago, 12 miles from here," said Biden, speaking at Western Connecticut State University and referring to the children and six adults gunned down Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Although the conference was billed as an academic discussion on gun violence and protecting kids, the focus was clearly on pushing gun-control legislation now on the table in Washington and Hartford.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy used the event to announce his own set of gun-control measures weeks ahead of three task forces -- including one he formed -- currently studying gun violence and school safety issues at the state Capitol.

"We have changed," Malloy said, referring to the effects of the Newtown tragedy. "And I believe it is now time for our laws to change."

After the Newtown shootings, Biden chaired a task force that developed a series of gun-control proposals now before Congress, including reinstating a federal assault-weapon ban, mandating universal background checks, banning high capacity magazines and cracking down on so-called "straw" purchases.

Vice President Joe Biden spoke at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Vice President Joe Biden spoke at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn., Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. Photo: Carol Kaliff Photo: Carol Kaliff Image 1 of / 57 Caption Close Biden: Scare tactics shouldn't block gun reforms 1 / 57 Back to Gallery

The gun violence conference was by invitation only. Gun makers and lobbyists were not invited, which didn't surprise Robert Crook, executive director of the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen.

"We haven't been invited to virtually anything," Crook said. "I would think it would be appropriate to have someone there to represent the gun owners."

"It's par for the course," added Scott Wilson, president of Connecticut Citizens Defense Fund. "The focus of the people with the institutions of power is clearly against being able to own guns. They are silencing the gun lobby.

"It steps in a direction they want to go. They don't want certain things. What about future generations? My son may not have the same choices I have," Wilson said.

During a 30-minute speech at Western, a school briefly attended by Newtown shooter Adam Lanza, Biden laid down a challenge for those who he said unduly fear the powerful national gun lobby.

"If you are concerned about your political survival, you should be concerned about the survival of our children," Biden said. "I can't imagine how we will be judged if we do nothing. There is a moral price to be paid for inaction.

"The opposition throws up question after question because they are looking for roadblocks," Biden said. "They say all you want to do is deny their rights under the Second Amendment. Not true.

"They say it's not about guns. They are wrong. No law-abiding person should fear that their constitutional rights will be infringed in any way," Biden said.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., agreed.

"Newtown changed us all. What I saw was through the eyes of a parent," Blumenthal said. "The world is different today, and Newtown has changed America."

Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra urged lawmakers to take action. "Don't let the tragedy in Sandy Hook be just another event in which no meaningful legislation was put in place," she said.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan recalled his time as head of the Chicago school system. He saw up close the steady flow of death on the city's streets beause of gun violence.

"I grew up on the south side of Chicago and I saw role models and mentors dying. It had a huge impact on me," Duncan said. "Sometimes you pick the time, and sometimes the time picks you. This is the time."