Sandy Hook Ride on Washington seeks common-sense gun control Group calling on Congress to pass tougher measures

Monte Frank, an Sandy Hook bicyclist, and an assistant town attorney, is the leader of the Team 26 ride to Washington, D.C. He is a gun control legislation advocate. He is photographed training at his Sandy Hook home, Thursday, March 6, 2014. less Monte Frank, an Sandy Hook bicyclist, and an assistant town attorney, is the leader of the Team 26 ride to Washington, D.C. He is a gun control legislation advocate. He is photographed training at his Sandy ... more Photo: Carol Kaliff Buy photo Photo: Carol Kaliff Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Sandy Hook Ride on Washington seeks common-sense gun control 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

NEWTOWN -- All bicycle racer and attorney Monte Frank needs to inspire his quest for common-sense gun control measures is to glance at a painting on his Danbury office wall.

It was given to him by Scarlett Lewis, mother of Sandy Hook Elementary first-grader Jesse, who was murdered in the shooting rampage that killed 19 of his classmates and six educators on Dec. 14, 2012.

In the sky above a Newtown Main Street landscape are 26 clouds bearing the names of each victim.

"I get my inspiration from the parents who lost their kids in Newtown, and people who lost their children after in other places," Frank said, of coast-to-coast gun tragedies that continue to claim innocent lives. "If these parents, despite what they've been through, can have the courage to do what they do to prevent other parents from going through what they have, I can ride a bike to Washington, D.C."

Frank, 45, is a founder and leader of Team 26, a group of amateur and championship bicycle racers trying to change the hearts and minds of members of Congress who have declined to follow Connecticut's example and pass stricter gun-control legislation.

Team 26 is pushing for universal background checks for gun owners, a trafficking bill to prevent illegal gun sales, a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazine, and enhanced restrictions on gun ownership for those diagnosed with mental illness.

On Saturday, the team of 26 cyclists, which includes four Newtown residents, will embark on their second annual Sandy Hook Ride on Washington from a morning rally on the steps of Edmond Town Hall.

Speakers will include Sandy Hook Promise advocate Mark Barden, the father of one of the slain students, Daniel; U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., who pitched the agenda of Team 26 on the floor of the House on Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., will ride with the team as far as Greenwich, the second stop on a four-day, 400-mile "rolling rally" through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Maryland, which will conclude in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. The group will the participate in a Connecticut congressional delegation news conference on the lawn of the Capitol.

More Information Team 26 Sandy Hook Ride itinerary

Saturday

8 a.m. -- Send-Off Rally at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St., Newtown.

10:30 a.m. -- Ridgefield rally, Town Hall, Main Street.

12:30 p.m. -- Greenwich rally, Town Hall, Field Point Road.

3:30 p.m.-- Harlem, N.Y., rally.



Sunday

11 a.m. -- Morristown, N.J., rally.

4 p.m. -- Doylestown, Pa. rally.



Monday

4:30 p.m. -- Baltimore rally.



Tuesday

11:45 a.m. -- Washington National Cathedral.

1 p.m. -- Connecticut congressional delegation news conference.



To organize the ride, complete with 10 separate rallies, was a monumental undertaking, Frank said, but he has devoted volunteers and the encouragement of parents for whom this cause is not an option.

Chris McDonnell, whose daughter, Grace, was one of the murdered children, said he told the team, "As you ride, Grace will be at your wheel."

On the House floor, Esty urged Congress to act.

"Team 26 rides to bring the message of peace, hope and love," she said. "Let's listen to Team 26 and put politics aside. Let us vote to enact meaningful gun violence prevention legislation this year.''

A 20-year bicycle racer, Frank is the father of two daughters who attended Sandy Hook Elementary School.

"What happened in Newtown changed me forever," said Frank who wore a Team 26 jacket embossed with a peace symbol on the right shoulder.

"I refuse to accept the status quo," he said. "I know we can do better."

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