Desperate to stop epidemic of gun violence, CT lawmakers seek answers from experts
Kelan Lyons, ctmirror.org
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State Sen. Marilyn Moore speaks during a roundtable discussion addressing gun violence held at the Burroughs Community Center, in Bridgeport, Conn. Aug. 9, 2019.Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media
When lawmakers gathered Friday to listen to experts from hospitals and community groups about efforts to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s cities, there were no calls to defund the police.
But there were no calls, either, to give police more money. Instead, the emphasis was on funding the organizations saving lives in cities like Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury, where 70 percent of Connecticut’s gun homicides occur.
Sen. Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport, organized a news conference in mid-April following the shooting death of a 3-year old in Hartford. On Friday, she convened a joint informational committee hearing on gun violence intervention and prevention.
When lawmakers gathered Friday to listen to experts from hospitals and community groups about efforts to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s cities, there were no calls to defund the police.
But there were no calls, either, to give police more money. Instead, the emphasis was on funding the organizations saving lives in cities like Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury, where 70% of Connecticut’s gun homicides occur.
Published April 06. 2021 4:25PM
A bill that would prohibit the selling of flavored cigarettes, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vapor products appears to have momentum in the General Assembly. But could a report by the Office of Fiscal Analysis that warns of a substantial loss in tax revenue derail legislation? We certainly hope not.
Manufacturers produce flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products to make smoking and vaping more attractive, particularly to young people. Once addicted, they become reliable customers. Quitting is possible, of course, but it is not easy.
That is why these products should be banned.
From 2017-2019, e-cigarette use among high school students more than doubled to 1 in 4, and 83% of them are using flavored products, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. These products come in a wide variety of youth-friendly flavors, such as cotton candy, strawberry shortcake, peanut butter, etc. Likewise, cigars targeted at teens and young adults come in
As a business reporter, I write about small businesses opening and closing, manufacturing, food and drink, labor issues and economic data. I particularly love writing about the impact of state and federal policy on local businesses. I also do some education reporting, covering colleges in southeastern Connecticut and regional K-12 issues.
Erica Moser
As a business reporter, I write about small businesses opening and closing, manufacturing, food and drink, labor issues and economic data. I particularly love writing about the impact of state and federal policy on local businesses. I also do some education reporting, covering colleges in southeastern Connecticut and regional K-12 issues.