“Common sense facts are these assault weapons are unnecessary and dangerous weapons that put our law enforcement personnel at risk,” Biden said. “You guys know a lot of departments around the country. I’ve been working with the police agencies for 35 years. I am going to say something outrageous: You’ve had no better friend over the last 35 years than me.

“We have to speak for all those voices, speak for those 20 beautiful children, who died 69 days ago, 12 miles from here,” the vice president added to applause.

Other speakers, including the parents of a 7-year-old girl killed at Sandy Hook, urged Congress to honor the memories of the victims with strong action.

Chris and Lynn McDonnell, whose daughter, Grace, was among the first graders and educators killed in December, spoke Thursday at a gun violence conference in Danbury.

Biden Addresses Conference On Gun Violence in Danbury

“We ask our representatives to look into their hearts and remember the 26 beautiful lives we lost and pass meaningful laws to help prevent this from happening again,” Lynn McDonnell said, sparking a standing ovation.

Chris McDonnell said he hoped the moral responsibility of gun owners would be discussed.

Meanwhile, Gov. Malloy announced he wants to immediately ban high-capacity ammunition magazines, require background checks for the transfer of firearms and expand the state’s assault weapons ban.

“We have changed and I believe it is now time for our laws to do the same,” Malloy said.

The mayor of Danbury, a rare Republican in this sea of Democrats, told CBS 2’s Lou Young he’ll support some proposals, but not all of them.

“This is an incremental change,” Mark Boughton said. “This isn’t something that’s going to happen in three months, six months or a year.”