Blumenthal, Fitch students discuss gun violence
Groton — Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Monday afternoon addressed more than 100 students gathered in the Fitch High School auditorium, speaking about issues of gun violence and school safety.
The event followed town halls Blumenthal held with students at Branford High School on April 2 and at Platt High School in Meriden on April 13.
“I find some of the best ideas come from folks who are studying new ideas as well as history,” Blumenthal said, before adding, “I think the country is listening to you, just as I’m here to listen, as never before on issues related to gun violence.”
After Blumenthal’s opening remarks, nine students got up to ask Blumenthal questions, on topics such as ways student can keep themselves safe, the impact of gun control on gun violence, desensitization to shootings, and the penchant for legislators to vote along party lines.
A topic that came up twice was the concept of changing the Constitution.
Sophomore Logan Gagne questioned whether members of Congress should change the Constitution to provide additional guidelines.
“We do not need to amend the Second Amendment to achieve common-sense steps on gun violence,” Blumenthal replied.
He said legislators could work within the Second Amendment. While the 2008 Supreme Court case
“We do not need to amend the Second Amendment to achieve common-sense steps on gun violence.” SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, D-CONN.
District of Columbia v. Heller upheld an individual's right to possess a firearm, Blumenthal noted that it said reasonable regulations could be imposed.
The decision reads in part, “Like most rights, the Second Amendment right is not unlimited. It is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose: For example, concealed weapons prohibitions have been upheld under the Amendment or state analogues.”
Another student suggested that maybe the Constitution should be updated, considering it was written in a time without the same technology and resources people have today.
Blumenthal responded by saying that the basic constitutional principles of free expression and the right to bear arms don't depend on technology. He added, “Rightly, changing the Constitution is very, very difficult. You don't want to change the Constitution on a whim, because it has to endure.”
Junior Dan Gaiewski asked if Congress was considering providing funding for security to public schools across the country. The senator talked about a bill that would provide about $50 million across the country but noted Congress has “barely scratched the surface of what is needed” in regards to mental health.
Asked what students could do to keep themselves safe, Blumenthal told them to register to vote, and to support organizations like Connecticut Against Gun Violence, Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and Sandy Hook Promise.
Blumenthal praised school resource officers and education on social-emotional learning, and criticized both the National Rifle Association and the idea of arming teachers.
What he has heard from law enforcement officials, he said, is that “these active-shooter situations are really, really hard, they're dangerous, that they're also filled with chaos and confusion, and so a teacher that may be trained to deal with that situation is still going to have a really difficult if not impossible time” determining who and where the shooter is.
Responding to a student who asked if we can expect any changes soon, Blumenthal said he doesn't know if there will be any changes in the next year, or before this election.
But he struck a positive tone, earlier saying, “I think we are nearer now to real reform nationally than ever before.”