Mayor Talks Gun Control, Defends Malloy's 'Bold' Leadership Decisions

Mayor Dan Drew was a guest on Sunday's edition of CT Capitol Report on Fox CT, joining Republican strategists Chris Healy and Jodi Latina and Democrat Shawn Wooden, Hartford city council president, along with host Tom Dudchik. 

Following the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting, Dudchik asked guests to weigh in on the fact that Connecticut has had 99 gun deaths in the last year despite having the second strongest gun laws in  the nation.

"In the state of Connecticut, we realized the importance of this tragedy and passed comprehensive gun control legislation and unfortunately that didn't happen in Washington," Drew said. "I hope it will happen soon. This is a move that is going to take evolution and I think more than anything we need realize this is about saving people's lives and making sure people's humanity is preserved."

Healy countered by saying the issue isn't about gun control but about mental illness.

"You can't wish away the crazy," Healy said, referencing the mental health crisis and strengthening of patient's rights in the past. "We need to break that wall down, get people off the streets who are sick." 

Healy also said the majority of gun crimes takes place in inner cities with illegally trafficked weapons and are "crimes of passion."

Moving on to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's appearance at the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce member breakfast on Dec. 9, Dudchik asked Drew his opinion of the governor's cutting of state budgets and attempts to raise revenue.

"He's been bold, he's been forthright with the people," Drew said. "He has told people the truth, he's gone out and fixed problems that would be easy to shy away from." 

Dudchik asked Drew about the decision by the state Democratic Party to return $10,000 in donations from a contractor who is performing work on the XL Center and criticism from the right.

The Democratic party is following the rules, following the law," Drew said. "Everything is being done above board. The Republicans are trying to make hay out of the Democratic party and they're doing it because we're heading into gubernatorial election."

Each week, Dudchik, editor of CT Capitol Report, and the Capitol Report panel discuss politics and current events.

What do you think of Drew's comments on Sunday's show? Tell us in the comments section below.