Metro

Gun backers shout at Newtown dad in Conn. hearing

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HARTFORD, Conn. — Some parents of Newtown school-shooting victims called for better enforcement of gun laws yesterday at a legislative hearing, where advocates for gun rights shouted at the father of one 6-year-old victim.

Neil Heslin, whose son, Jesse, was killed in last month’s massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, asked people in the room to put themselves in his position as he questioned the need for any civilian to own semiautomatic, military-style weapons.

“It’s not a good feeling. Not a good feeling to look at your child laying in a casket or looking at your child with a bullet wound to the forehead. It’s a real sad thing,” said Heslin, who held up a large photo of himself and his son.

A handful of people shouted about their Second Amendment rights when Heslin asked if anyone could provide a reason for a civilian to own an assault-style weapon. That prompted Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney to threaten to clear the room.

The hearing by a legislative subcommittee reviewing gun laws offered the first public testimony by relatives of those killed at Sandy Hook Elementary.

The three Sandy Hook parents who spoke all called for better enforcement or stricter gun-control laws.

But many gun-rights advocates were among the hundreds at the hearing, where about 1,300 people signed up to speak.

Meanwhile in Washington, President Obama met with police chiefs from around the country to get their support for his proposed gun-control laws.