President Barack Obama accused Republicans of stooping to political stunts to block gun reform, in a fervent appeal delivered close to the site of the Newtown school massacre.
At a critical moment for hopes for sweeping action to stem gun violence, Obama traveled to Hartford, Connecticut, not far from Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 children and six adults were gunned down in December.
In sharp, impassioned remarks, he contrasted the courage of parents whose children were killed by a deranged gunman with US lawmakers he said feared the wrath of the powerful American gun lobby.
“Some folks in Washington are already floating the idea that they may use political stunts to prevent votes on any of these reforms,” Obama told a raucous crowd during his second gun control rally in a week.
“They’re not just saying they’ll vote no on ideas that almost all Americans support. They’re saying they’ll do everything they can to even prevent any votes on these provisions.
“What’s more important to you — our children or an A grade from the gun lobby?”