Carly Wanna Photo
Murphy with Squash Haven Monday.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy has spent much of his time in office working to influence the opinions of his colleagues about gun control. Now, he said, he has changed course — working instead to change who his colleagues are.
Murphy talked about that change in strategy Monday to a gathering of teens participating in Squash Haven, a nonprofit youth development program, on Ashmun Street.
“There are two ways to change the law: Change people’s minds in Congress or change the people that are actually in Congress. I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve done everything I can to change people’s minds,” said Murphy.
Murphy, who since the school massacre at Sandy Hook has championed efforts in D.C. to pass gun control laws, primarily discussed that issue with the students before opening the floor to questions.
He spoke of how he sought to change the views of gun control opponents through a 15-hour filibuster following a shooting in an Orlando nightclub (read about that here) among other tactics. Now, he said, he spends much time to support pro-gun-control Democratic candidates in this year’s mid-term elections.
Number one on his docket, he said, is national background checks, which would require an individual check conducted on anyone wishing to buy a gun. Connecticut currently requires such reviews, but not every state employs the measure. People can therefore attain firearms legally in other states with looser gun control laws and bring them to Connecticut where the buyer may have been blocked from purchase.
Depending on the outcome of the upcoming Congressional elections, Murphy said the legislature may have enough support to pass universal background checks by next year.
Beyond background checks, Murphy called for requiring for all states to require that local cops issue permits before people can buy guns; the states that already have this policy also have a lower rate of gun violence, he said. He added that he believes certain guns, such as semi-automatic weapons, should be banned entirely.
Murphy encouraged the teens, even if they can’t vote yet, to maintain an active stance on social media and contact their representatives.
Squash Haven participant Umarr Lahun gives Murphy his sweatshirt.
He spent nearly an hour with the group, answering questions on topics ranging from gun control to wealth inequality to the role of gender in shootings. Then he accepted a token of their thanks –– a sweatshirt and bumper sticker –– before returning to Capitol Hill to vote on legislation.
“These kids get it,” said Murphy.