Vice President Joe Biden urges action on gun control

WTNH TV

Updated: Feb 21, 2013 10:12 PM

DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) -- Vice President Joe Biden was in Connecticut on Thursday urging action on gun control. He's trying to rally support for President Obama's proposals to bring down gun violence.

"There's a moral price to be paid for inaction," said Biden.

For all the politics of this 5 hour forum on gun violence, it really came down to this.

"We ask that our represenatatives look into their hearts and remember the 26 beautiful lives that we lost," said Lynn McDonnell.

Lynn and Chris McDonnell lost their daughter Grace in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. All these speeches and two panel discussions went on at Western Connecticut State University because it is just a few miles from Newtown and some speakers say Newtown changed the gun debate.

"The overwhelming majority of American families want their children to be safe," said Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra.

But gun rights advocates say new or old laws would not have stopped the Newtown shooter.

"Everything that he did is already covered by an existing law. That's my statement and it's a factual statement," said Dom Basile a sportsman.

He was part of the first panel discussion on gun violence. The second panel was about improving mental health and school security. That was less controversial. Everyone's for that, it's just a question of paying for it. One panelist made a good point, when schools cut budget often they eliminate psychologists and social workers, the very people who could best prevent school violence.

"There's going to be a lot of voices in this debate, but I am absolutely determined, the President is absolutely determined that the loudest voices will be for the voice of the people who lost their voice," said Biden.

The Vice President, the Governor, Senators, Congress members, they all promised action on behalf of all those children like Grace.

"After that day, I made a promise to her that I would be her voice," said McDonnell.

"Now is the time," said Biden.

And all those politicians say it's now up to which voices Congress will hear.

To watch the entire conference, watch the video above.

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