NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke is planning to meet with Connecticut gun control advocates in Newtown.

O’Rourke is participating in Newtown on Wednesday in a “conversation on gun violence prevention” with members of Newtown Action Alliance, the Junior Newtown Action Alliance and some Newtown community residents.

The event is closed to the public.

During a September debate, O’Rourke called for taking people’s AR-15 and AK-47 rifles. His comments came in the wake of several high-profile shootings, including two in his home state. Besides a national buyback program for banned guns, he supports universal background checks and other measures. He has become a target of vitriol from many conservatives.

Newtown suffered one of the most heartless and devastating mass shootings in modern US history almost seven years ago. A man with an assault rifle killed 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Former Democratic presidential candidate and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper made a similar visit in May. He has since left the race.

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