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STAMFORD, Conn. — More mental health and societal resources can help make sure shootings in Newtown do not happen again, several community leaders told U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes Thursday in Stamford.
“I live in a town now with great grief, but also great hope,” Judy Gardner, a Sandy Hook resident and president of the Fairfield chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Health, said, explaining that people there want good to come out of the shooting.
She added she will be working to create a Newtown chapter of her organization to help parents find resources for their children dealing with psychological issues.
“We hope we keep your attention long enough to find comprehensive answers,” said Sherry Perlstein, president of the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut. She further explained that mental illnesses vary, and there is no easy way to figure out who will act out violently.
The Rev. Kate Heichler, executive director of the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut and pastor at Church of Christ the Healer in Stamford, offered the services of her and other religious and spiritual leaders because they are able to talk to people differently. Her organization also has held numerous events to bring people together and come up with action plans.
Both Himes and Murphy did say they are working to strengthen gun control laws, adding that despite what members of the National Rifle Association say more guns actually increases gun violence.
Murphy added that he is strongly against assault rifles and large-quantity magazines saying if Adam Lanza had to reload more, chances are he would have been apprehended or the gun would have jammed, saving more lives.
“A lot of what I had seen that day, I wish I hadn’t seen,” Murphy said of being in Newtown on Dec. 14, and he said he will use it as inspiration in passing tougher laws.
Comments (3)
"More mental health", .. means more pharma drugs that cause many to become suicidal and or homicidal. Google it if you do not believe it. ... Not to mention all the other detrimental side effects that can and often do accompany regular ingestion of so many of these drugs. ....... While it is a waste of time to post such information in such a place as this, someone out there may be or may have someone near to them who is experiencing the negative effects of taking one or more of these drugs. .... You should know that there is an extremely effective and very safe and natural alternative that works better and does not produce the negative side effects. For more info go to; www.truehope.com
As much of America holds a death grip on their guns, we should be asking why we are so dependent on the idea of protecting ourselves and from what? We live in a post-9/11 society in which fear is bred 24 hours a day through television and media. Other countries with similar social structures such as the UK don’t have this problem and don’t have guns in the hands of every man, woman and child. Read more about Living in a Society of Fear and how we are at War with Ourselves at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/09/living-in-society-of-fear-ten-years.html