NEWTOWN, CT -- Former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived a life-threatening gunshot wound to the head during an assassination attempt almost two years ago, is rumored to be stopping in Newtown Friday to meet with local officials and families affected by the tragic Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
According to a representative from Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office, local groups in Newtown organized the visit and Giffords is slated to meet privately with the families, as well as Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra.
A spokesman for Lt. Gov. Wyman confirmed that a visit was planned for Friday afternoon “at a private home with some of the families,” however Giffords is not expected to make any public appearances.
Since the attacks in Tucson on Jan. 8, 2011, in which 19 people were shot, including Giffords, and six killed, the former Democratic congresswoman retired from politics for a time to focus on her recovery.
Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly, who published a book entitled “Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope” in November 2011, called for gun control reform in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.
He posted the following words on his Facebook page immediately after hearing the news:
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the entire community of Newtown, CT. I just spoke to Gabby, and she sends her prayers from Tucson.
As we mourn, we must sound a call for our leaders to stand up and do what is right. This time our response must consist of more than regret, sorrow, and condolence. The children of Sandy Hook Elementary School and all victims of gun violence deserve leaders who have the courage to participate in a meaningful discussion about our gun laws — and how they can be reformed and better enforced to prevent gun violence and death in America. This can no longer wait.
So, are parents willing to pay for the effective protection of their children while they're at school? Are they at least willing to pay for significantly improved security? I believe they are when one considers the alternative. The security in some schools fails to account for the time it takes local law enforcement to respond, yet it must if the children and school employees are to be protected.
How do you have a mathematical progression between nothing and then suddenly all the way to 11????
But then in the concept advanced by Rahm Emanuel they are Always utilizing that. If you want to talk about Math let’s discuss that there are over 1500 children lying in their graves in Sarajevo and even more recently 500 children have been killed in Syria. Yet how much do you follow that? And also why are Syrian children less important than American children? What is Obama doing about Syria? Where is the outrage about Obama’s total lack of attention on Syria? You exist in a false patchwork of inane morality and indolent outrage.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-154307/Gun-crime-soars-35.html And look at what happened in Great Britain after they totally banned Handguns....
You have verbally lashed out at everyone that doesn't 100% agree with you. It is okay to occasionally listen without speaking.
It was on NBC News Friday night. I was able to find it along with her New Years resolution that EH Mom brought to my attention, but they both seem to have disappeared.
My point is simply that given the size of college and high school campuses it will take a lot of security to keep our children and young adults safe. Instead of constantly disregarding and twisting my comments, take a moment and look at Maryland University's campus map or for that fact any college map. It isn't practical.
She had the audacity to post these on nights right after Christmas when Sandy Hook parents looked at unopened presents and struggled with empty beds where they tucked their children in at night. It is very very sad.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/11/armed-janitors-approved-school-shootings_n_2458167.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/crime/2012/12/gun_death_tally_every_american_gun_death_since_newtown_sandy_hook_shooting.html
.http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data-publications/data/state-data-repository/the-truth-about-guns.pdf.
Just a thought.. I know I'm probably missing something (etc's) so I welcome contributing ideas to the general concept. I realize also budgets are tight or non existant. All play a roll in what is the best answer to school security and safety. So here goes: What would be the cost be of: Below vs. Two State trained ongoing armed security guards (utilizing shifts)? Is a combination of the two a better idea? Initial installment & monitoring, etc vs. Salaries, training, benefits, insurance etc. 1) Buzzer or scan entry systems into 2) Seperate bullet proof foyers prior to building entry 3) Bullet proof glass, wood or steele on all doors, entry ways, & windows 4) Security cameras 5) Staff, parent & student issued security scan cards w manual entry codes. Alot of the above are in banks, business buildings & police departments already. Please, instead of bashing in a mean way, how about we try together to find a solution using suggestions from both points of view.. Provided we don't let our egos get in the way of a better good, I'm sure there is an answer.
Which would be immediately effective w/ least cost? Bullet proof glass in entryways & windows could have bought time for Sandy Hook Elementary. A security system was there but apparantly not proper glass. What about silent alarm buttons.. Giving as much time as possible for those in jepordy &1st responders to arrive is key. Given that all the laws that would, could be passed regarding guns, ammunition, mental health, media, loopholes, etc. & funding to implement any of these, there are still illegal weapons & ammunition already in existance & lunatics that can slip through, so my thoughts are for immediate "in the mean time" along w/ down the road protection. We've learned the hard way... No one...is immune. Any one of us or our loved ones could be next... anywhere, anytime. We all are now forced to play a role in prevention, safety & protection. Better parental guidance of video games etc. is another important issue we need to address. Parents, myself included, have at one time or another, allowed over use of video games, computers, phones, apps etc. so that children pay less attention to us. Technology has made it easier for kids to "tune out". Family time and outside sports now compete with the latest gadgets and games. For some, shooting hoops outside has taken a back seat to shooting images of humans on a video game inside. Parents must get more involved.