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Blumenthal, Finch Call For Tighter Gun Controls In Visit To Shooting Scene

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The day after a deadly shooting left one man dead and eight other people injured, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal discussed strategies to strengthen state and federal gun laws to help keep illegal weapons off city streets in a visit Friday to the crime scene.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch visit residents of Trumbull Gardens a day after a deadly shooting.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch visit residents of Trumbull Gardens a day after a deadly shooting.

Photo Credit: City of Bridgeport

“This is not a Bridgeport problem. This a national problem, and hard-working people in cities across the country are being victimized by weak and ineffective federal gun laws,” said Finch. “We can and must do more to stem the tide of illegal guns that end up on our streets and in the hands of criminals.”

At 1 a.m. Thursday, gunmen opened fire on a group of people in a parking lot the Trumbull Gardens apartment complex, killing one man and wounding eight other people.

“I guarantee that the people responsible for this terrible crime did not legally possess those handguns,” said Finch. “The question is how did they end up in their hands – and what can we do to prevent more weapons from ending up in the hands of criminals?”

Blumenthal said the answers start in Washington.

“No matter how good the local leadership and law enforcement, gun violence still requires strong federal protection to prevent crime, to protect against gun violence,” he said.

On Friday, Bridgeport Hospital reported that one patient injured in an early-morning shooting had been treated and released from the emergency room and two others were in fair condition.

A spokesperson for Saint Vincent’s Medical Center said the victims treated there all were in stable condition or already had been discharged. No other information was available.

Finch and Blumenthal joined Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. in surveying the crime scene Friday. The senator pledged to examine what federal assistance could be available, including potential federal funds for additional security cameras in the area.

Finch and Gaudett said security cameras have proven to be an effective tool not only in solving crimes but also as deterrents for criminals.

“We are just under 36 hours into the investigation, and detectives are following strong leads. We have made significant progress, but we’re continuing to ask to the public to come forward with any information that will help take these violent individuals off the street,” said Chief Gaudett. “We can’t and won’t tolerate people settling grudges with handguns.”

He asked anyone with information to contact Detective Ada Curet, the lead investigator, at 203-581-5236.

 

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