Governor Dannel Malloy said he applauds President Obama's plan to use executive authority to implement a set of measures aimed at curbing gun violence.
Obama announced ten gun control measures, including a stronger background check system, more money to treat mental illness, and more ATF agents to enforce existing gun laws.
The President said gun laws work -- and he used Connecticut as an example.
"After Connecticut passed a law requiring background checks and gun safety courses, gun deaths decreased by 40 percent," Obama said on Tuesday.
Among the people invited to the East Room of the White House for the announcement was Malloy, who spoke to reporters after Obama's speech.
"It was a moving experience. To see the strength that he has, the willingness to go after this issue, to move the ball forward time and time again is tremendous. I support him in this," Malloy said.
Obama intends to use executive action to require more gun dealers, especially those who sell guns on the internet and at gun shows, to be licensed and conduct background checks on all sales.
Connecticut law already requires background checks on any gun sale in the state, but Malloy admitted the law is hard to enforce.
"The reality is, the internet that is very hard to police," Malloy said. "If that was to become a national cause, and a national requirement, then we close that very large loophole for internet sales in all 50 states, as opposed to just a handful of states, and that makes all the nation safer."
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy spoke at a press conference in Hartford following Obama's remarks. They spent an hour yesterday with Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty meeting with Obama to discuss next steps following the actions he announced on Tuesday.
"Today is a good day," Murphy said. "There have been a lot of bad days in Washington since the tragedy at Sandy Hook. There have been a lot of starts and stops, and failures. Today is a day that will end up saving lives. The actions that the president is taking today, well within his authority as the chief executive, will save lives here in Connecticut and all across the country."
Blumenthal said Connecticut has been leading the nation in pushing for gun safety laws.
"These measures are modest, but monumental, because they move forward more effective enforcement of existing laws," Blumenthal said. "Opponents of gun violence prevention have said again and again and again, 'We don't need new laws. Just enforce the existing laws more effectively.' And that's exactly what the president is doing."
Last month, Malloy announced his intention to sign an executive action barring people on federal terrorist watch lists from purchasing guns. But he has been waiting for guidance from federal officials on whether Connecticut will be given access to those watch lists.
Malloy told reporters the Obama administration is working to make that happen, but admits it is a complicated issue that may take some time.
