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‘The Problem Is Not Gun Laws’: Watch the Emotional Speech by a Sandy Hook Victim’s Dad That Got a Standing Ovation

Jan. 28, 2013 3:12pm Billy Hallowell

Mark Mattioli Delivers Emotional Speech Before Connecticut Legislature About Gun Control

Mark Mattioli, father of 6-year-old Sandy Hook victim James Mattioli (Photo Credit: Fox News)

Parents of children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School appeared before a subcommittee of the Connecticut Legislature on Monday to speak about gun control. While some used the platform to promote stricter firearms legislation, at least one parent became passionate, claiming that there are more than enough laws on the books, that current regulations simply need to be enforced and that the nation needs to embrace personal responsibility.

Mark Mattioli, whose six-year-old son James perished inside of the school, testified that a plethora of new gun laws isn’t the answer and that, instead, personal responsibility, accountability and civility are the best path forward. He made his comments as intense debate surrounding gun control and the causal factors behind the shooting continue to be at the forefront of public discussion.

The grieving father, who ended up receiving a standing ovation, said that he believes in “simple, few gun laws” and that there are already “more than enough on the books.” Mattioli contends that “the problem is not gun laws” and that these regulations simply need to be enforced.

“How do we expect to have any impact on a society and say, ‘We’re going to pass a law. Hey this is inexcusable. We can’t allow any more of this. Let’s pass a law that will change the course of the future’ when we don’t enforce the laws that we have on the books — the most important laws?,” he asked.

Mattioli also addressed mental health, a key issue that has often fallen second to gun control in discussions surrounding the Sandy Hook shooting.

“I think there’s much more promise for a solution in identifying, researching and creating solutions along the lines of mental health issues — I think there’s a lot of work that can be done there,” he said. ”I believe the solution may not be as easy to implement as I might hope, but it’s a simple concept. We need civility across our nation.”

At one point Mattioli got so emotional during the the testimony that he had to move onto a new topic. He eventually went on to say that “we need common decency to prevail,” dismissing calls for greater gun control. Mattioli gave the specific example of Chicago, a city with tough gun laws, but one that continues to experience intense violence. He noted that gun laws did not protect the hundreds of people who died in that city last year.

Watch Mattioli’s passionate and emotional speech, below:

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Comments (207)

Tom K
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:42pm
Mr. Mattioli is a great parent because he was parented well. He has Good Common Sense which is rarely seen in our Legislative Bodies. ( Sit up straight, Legislators and pay attention. ) Parents must do their job – many are not. God Bless you sir for your bravery. May your son rest in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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- LadyGOP
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:03pm
  I hear you brother…. Death penalty would be a good start. What a courageous man.
  
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- Eternal
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:04pm
  Absolutely Tom….This violence boils down to THE HOME and parents or lack there of.
  
  Report this comment
- ICEDRAGONNITE
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:05pm
  May GOD bless you.
  
  Report this comment
- Coolhand1
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:43pm
  Mr Mattioli is so right. Accountability, civility, personal responsibility….not more laws that don’t make any sense and half the time are not even enforced. We need people like Mr. Mattioli in public office! Im sure none of the other networks will play this. A real American, thank you Mr. Mattioli for your courage during such a trying time.
  
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- HavocK
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:03pm
  Let the deocratic leberal left wing cult put their monet where their mouth is…
  
  If it turns out that a person has to get a background check (or if you live in a state that already does), that person shall be denied a firearm if evidence shows that person has ever been a registered democrat, or has ever participated in liberal, left wing, progressive political lobbying, that person shall be denied a firearm.
  
  After all, that is what ‘they’ want, and it is about time ‘they’ put their ‘money where their mouth is’, and live it the way ‘they’ want the rest of us to live it.
  
  These political idiots are on record saying, “It is suppressing the right to vote, for a person to prove who they are before voting, with a picture ID.”
  
  What do they call it when a person has to fill out a two (2) page Form 4473, show a picture ID, and answer all the questions on that form “correctly” OR that person is DENIED their RIGHT to the 2nd Amendment and cannot bear arms. That is a whole lot more than suppression!
  
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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:32pm
  @LadyGOP
  Death penalty for whom? People that use guns to kill? What about the goons that use hammers, or swords, or knives or cars? Just the gun creeps? A goon is a goon no matter what instrument they use to ply their trade. Don’t give me the “Hey lets execute the guys that use guns” and let the other creeps get life. Killing someone is killing someone no matter what they use to do it. They should all be fried . Not just those with guns. Get your head out of your ass. You are no Gop chick. You are a troll.
  
  Report this comment
- Bluegrasstide
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:56pm
  My God, I was almost in tears watching this because someone had the courage to speak the truth… If we could only drop the politics and the scare tactics on both sides and have a civil conversation…I am an educator and I feel that the majority of the problems that I encounter during a school day can be attributed to parents who refuse to take the time to be parents.
  
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- turkey13
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:05pm
  I feel for the guy but he is the only one with any common sense. With Obama’s executive order making government agencys cooporare and share iinfo will help keep crazy people from passing a gun background check. It has always been policically correct to keep someones sanity a secret but if a nut moves in near me I want to know just like the folks learn of a phedophils moveing in. But of course the kid that shot those kids killed his mother & used her guns.
  
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- dmerwin
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:06pm
  Correct no gun LAWS prevent CRIMINALS from committing CRIMES. They (gun laws) only serve to further burden the already law abiding population.
  
  Report this comment
- ronaldreaganthegreat
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:30pm
  Amen Tom!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:14pm
  waits for the left to claim Mattioli is grieving and isn’t in his right senses
  
  Report this comment
- LadyGOP
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:18pm
  Mil-Dot You are a whack o nut job. Of course I advocate death penalty for mass murderers. You are right about one thing. I am not a GOP chick. I will no longer fund their cause.
  
  Report this comment
- Small World
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:50pm
  God bless him and his family. At last someone with common sense.
  
  Report this comment
- muffythetuffy
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:56pm
  DEMOCRATS NEED VOTERS ANY KIND OF VOTER
  
  They protect criminals. They do not want any criminal killed, and they do not want to send a criminal to jail. Incarcerated and dead criminals cannot vote. Criminals need some career and a placed to get money and have fun so Democrats will do anything to make every home, business and street safe of crime. Without gun chaos the Democrats loose and important issue and the more dead kids blood running in the gutters the better.
  
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- muffythetuffy
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:59pm
  ONE MORE REASON FOR SECESSION
  
  We must break away from this Democrat Hell Hole called the USA. Decent people must have a place to live here in North America and let the Democrat puke live among themselves. Its worth dying for to try to achieve. Liberty and Freedom are worth dying for.
  
  Report this comment
- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 10:51pm
  Agree 100%
  
  Report this comment
- bumpkin
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:05pm
  Mr. Mattioli, THANK you for sharing with America a good dose of common sense! You’re a stronger person than I- I am afraid I would have ripped into the self-serving politicians and liberals who are OBVIOUSLY using the murder of your beautiful son and his friends for their political agenda. THANK you for showing me how to hold it together respectfully when speaking to the Nation about such a painful subject. It breaks my heart that your family is is such searing pain. Perhaps your solid dose of reality and common sense will rub-off onto some who haven’t even a smidgen of either. Passing one, or a hundred, laws against gun ownership will do NOTHING to prevent this tragedy from re-occurring, and I was acutely embarrassed for Poor Mr. Obama for even saying he would do “something” to make sure it never happens again. Teaching the “Golden Rule” in school, in case it isn’t taught in the home, will do more. Outlawing gangs, with follow-through, would do more to prevent gun violence than another law against gun ownership. I only wish Obama really did care, and was really interested in doing something to HELP prevent this type of tragedy. He could have done something about mental health patients’ assessments, and treatment. Did you know a mental health patient has the RIGHT to refuse all treatment? He might have passed a law that helped monitor mentally ill patients if they refuse treatment. Or a law that mandates a mental health check often. God bless you.
  
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- OlefromMN
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:06pm
  “Parents must do their job – many are not.”
  
  That portion of his speech is what grabbed me the most. As a parent of young children, I connected with him. Teaching character is not an easy task and is often one we slight. We too often get wrapped up in making sure they are on the right teams in sports, we adorn them in the latest trendy clothes, we make sure they have the latest gadgets. We do not have a strong character mentoring society any longer.
  
  My prayers go out to Mr. Mattioli and all of the Sandy Hook parents.
  
  Report this comment
- Brentley
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:23pm
  THIS GUY GETS IT…..MR PRESIDENT…MEMBERS OF CONGRESS….YOU need to listen to this man. So many laws that are not followed. So lets start with that. And then ADD THIS..ANY PERSON OF CONGRESS OR IN POLITICS across the nation that is found guilty of a FELONY IS IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM OFFICE…IMPRISONED..AND CAN NEVER RUN AGAIN…PERIOD!!!!!!!!…..
  
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- DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:47am
  It doesn’t matter what sensible argument you try to make to convince the anti-gun proponents. They will simply say that you have mental issues if you disagree with their political agenda. What right minded person would give a gun to someone willing to kill 20 little angel faced children? Did the school demand your parents give you adderall so you could sit quietly long enough to do your class work? Then they will use that to say you used a controlled substance and have mental health issues so you should not have a gun. The problem is that voter fraud put them into POWER & they will use that power to make sure they get their agenda on every issue. It’s about the power & control!!!
  
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- jakartaman
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:05am
  Hearing and seeing this young father’s eloquent and point on comments makes me sad all over that the world will be without his son.
  
  Enforce existing laws – the guns that are killing most of the people arte illegal and in the hands of criminal.
  
  Report this comment
- whywonder
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:37am
  Muffy
  That idea of yours is a good one. The south needs its dumb a$$ kicked again. It worked out so well for you rednecks the first time!
  
  Report this comment
- samurai2112
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:40am
  His testamony will unfortunately fall on deaf ears. Does not match the narritive no matter how much truth he speaks.
  
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- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:55am
  God Bless him and the other Sandy Hook parents.
  
  LadyGOP – how about death penalty for those who kill unborn children?
  
  Report this comment
- PDfromToledo
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:59am
  Amen!
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:32am
  His son is with JESUS ! And this was a remarkable statement from such grief!
  What we need to do is what he said, work on communication, civility, and enforce the laws we already have. No way should his mother have been able to buy so many guns if her household address was the same as prescription drugs to control moods (for her son) …working on the computerized information and background check is a must. I see no problem with that. I do want to know why HLS is buying all these guns/ammo.
  The main thing we have that we can do now is on Immigration: It’s not just finding a path to ID these people, kick out the criminals among them, put them in the back of the line for citizenship…ALL PEOPLE COMING INTO AMERICA must learn AMERICAN HISTORY and ENGLISH MUST BE THE ONLY common language for all. We simply cannot expect to have cohesive communities when they are really nothing more than a ‘mini’ country of the immigrants formed here in America. It’s fine to honor your culture…but we need to ALWAYS put AMERICA first, now that you are in America.
  More emphasis on the 40% who over-stay their Visas; ENGLISH ONLY; American History required and no welfare for non-citizens…IT HAS TO MEAN SOMETHING to be an AMERICAN. We are, afterall, part of the 5% of Humanity that has ever lived on earth from the beginning of time until now to live in FREEDOM! (No kings, dictators, military) That was a gift from GOD. We need to respect it!
  
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- Comments4TheBlaze
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 10:57am
  …we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
  
  It’s happening folks.
  
  Report this comment
- SendTheMeteors
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:05am
  And here’s a parent of a dead kid who spoke in favor of gun control. Of course he was heckled by the NRA crowd: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Newtown-dad-to-lawmakers-Change-gun-laws-4228992.php#photo-4098381
  
  Stay classy NRA members.
  
  Report this comment
- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 11:17am
  @ Patty
  I hear what you’re saying, except i don’t agree that anyone living with someone on an anti depressant should not be allowed to own a gun. I think the mother still should be able to defend herself. More assistance for families with mentally ill members better emergency evaluations and safety interventions. If someone evaluating the situation had recommended safety measures, or better treatment? We just need to watch what we wish for, many people unfortunately are on meds, but that’s another problem.
  
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- ishka4me
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:00pm
  I was at the hearing in Hartford. Over 2,000 well informed 2nd ammendment advocates showed up with facts, rule of law, court decisions, police reports of victims defending themselves etc… you all know what I am saying. About 100 of some non profit anti gun group showed up with feelings and all started by, “we don’t want to take your guns” then in next sentence they listed their demands to take guns…. also sound familliar?
  The thing that was very insulting was for the first time in Connecticuts’ history, the security detail at the Legislative Office Building had their newly installed metal detectors just for this event. The thousands of Patriots were out in a winter storm for hours waiting to gain access.
  At one point when the Senate Majority leader Williams was caught giving false testimony, the crowd laughed at him and he threatened to remove all those there to testify.
  
  Report this comment
- cbrian1978
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:22pm
  Could not have said it better myself.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 1:29pm
  @ CABERNETQHS yes, it’s a serious problem but the mind-altering drugs they are making now have to be dealt with. Even modify the gun ownership application to say: Is there anyone who will have access to this gun on any type of mind altering drugs; ever been committed etc. And then require the purchaser of the gun to read and acknowledge that they have been made aware of the serious consequences some of these blasted designer drugs have wrought. To allow people to buy gun(S) to be in a house hold with someone who has serious mental problems is asking for trouble.
  We can’t have it both ways. I wouldn’t want my next door neighbor’s kid who is on some mind altering drug to have access to her guns…would you? As we become more aware of the problems facing our society, we need to address them. THIS MOTHER should have known that she was playing with fire. I don’t believe she was “all there” either to allow this to happen; to take this kid to gun range and pretend he was ‘fine’. There has to be something known/said/done about this issue.
  
  Report this comment
- James
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 3:45pm
  Amen!
  
  Report this comment
- gizmo01
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:14pm
  This Man speaks volumes about the real control of guns. It starts in the home. Rules are made and enforced. My Grandfather was a Texas Ranger, Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff and Chief of Police when I was a boy. He came home at night, removed his badge and gun and placed them on a table in the hallway. No one messed with these items. It was well known that these were part of his work. He taught me how to use and respect guns when I was very young. He and I would take the old “Kitchen Matches” and stick them in the picket fence at the back of the house. (We lived on a farm) We sat on the porch and tried to light them. I might add, I missed a lot, broke a lot and lit a few. I learned gun safety and respect for weapons and how to care for them. I don’t mean to brag but I got real good with a rifle. Saying all of this is simply saying the shooter had no direction from a Father figure at home. No discipline at all. Therefore he was able to go to that school and kill all of those kids and teachers. Put kids back where they belong. Give them back to the parents. Mom and Dad, Do Your Jobs!!! Raise the children like the Bible teaches you to. Be there for them. Give them the love and instruction they need so badly. It is not the job of the Teachers to raise them. It is your responsibility.
  God protect our children and keep them safe.
  
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- bdsconserv
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 5:47pm
  parents don’t need to do any parenting anymore because our wonderful,cradle to grave,nanny-state government does it for them. what a joke. this man has my fullest admiration and sympathy.
  
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- Sour Pea
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 6:00pm
  Yes, Tom…and thank you. We are losing our culture to so many forces, but excellent parenting builds a foundation under a child that help him/her become a resilient human being. Strangely, I see the most wonderful parenting in our immigrants compared to the “citizens” of this country. (Of course, I live in a conservative community that isn’t in Utah…God Bless those Mormons.) I can also assure you that the combination of mental illness, psychotropic drugs, testosterone, frustration and rejection will create an “uncivil” young man no matter how good the parenting. Then again, maybe good parenting combined with good hard physical work that allows our young men to experience accomplishment keeps keeps from becoming mentally ill??? How many “farm boys” do you know who suffer from mental illness? Hmmm…anyway, thank you for your common sense observation.
  
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AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:39pm
Mr. Mattioli is so very right.. but how did we get here? We have a president who has divided a nation.. not once has he tried to bring American’s together.. he would though stir up old hatreds between the black and the white and also the brown and white.. He would divide the rich from the poor! And his team of orchestrators.. will continue the push into Socialism and then Communism. Those who live in denial again will only have to look at history.. if they can read. Ignorance is bliss.. and for those whoare not ignorant.. they know exactly what they are doing! Only God can help us now.. for I do not see our corrupted law makers being held accountable for anything.. they put on smoke and mirrors to make us think they are actually doing something.. and what few good men in Washington that we do have live in fear.. why are they not banning together and exposing the wicked for what they are? Is it fear.. or just a yellow streak up their backs! God help us!

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spirited
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:39pm
Mark Mattioli’s brief gum-story spoke volumes about the importance of family, honor, self respect and following (exsisting) laws…

Thanks Mark….

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nighttrainno9
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:34pm
Wow, A breath of common sense from liberalland. I applaud you sir,
and greive with you for your child. It’s a proven fact, the more gun laws
you have, the worse gun related crime becomes, because, when guns
are outlawed only criminals will have guns.

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Chromo200
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:16pm
Does one think the senators are going to listen to this .. No it does not put money in their coffers. ALl these crooks want more money so they can retire in style on our dollar. tell me what senator left congress a poor man or at least with the same money he came into congress with. they all have become millionaires.

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Ghostrider8850
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:12pm
The commentary following the statement was unbelievable. The main crux of his statement was that society has lost its civility. And those two/three talking head clowns focused on mental illness and gun laws and barely touched the lack of morality in society. The constant bombardment of the sex and violence in hollywood movies and video games have greatly contributed to the cheapening of life and the moral decay of society. .

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- OniKaze
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:41pm
  Be careful not to jump on the “lets blame TV and video games” bandwagon…
  
  I have been consuming violent Movies and video games my whole life, and I have absolutely no desire to go on some shooting spree…
  
  The problem is NOT the entertainment… The problem is that kids have had all sense of responsibility removed from nearly every aspect of their daily lives… As such, they don’t comprehend consequences…
  
  I love playing shooter games where you plug the bag guys full of holes, and if you “die” you get a “respawn”… But I don’t think that for one second that a “real” gun’s trigger can ever be “un-pulled”.
  
  The dead don’t come back to life, and the decision to pull a trigger in real life, comes with real life consequences…
  
  TV and Games are not the problem… Parents sheltering their children from harsh realities are the problem..
  
  I have a message to all kids growing up now-a-days….
  
  1. Life is not Easy, Fair, or peaceful. (it is not supposed to be, get over it).
  2. There will be times when people do things to you, that you will not like.. Try not to let it bother you too much.
  3. Not everyone on earth cares about you, or your personal well-being (in fact, there are more that DON’T care, than those that do…).
  
  I have had this talk with my nephews and nieces, and they all seemed to understand it pretty well.. Since then, they all complain about little crap a lot less… If you have not had this talk with your kids, you may
  
  Report this comment
- OneShotPagan
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 11:22pm
  yoursensei – learn a new term that your kind will ultimately have to live with (snic) … kill ratio
  
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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 8:10am
  I agree with the GRider.
  The Hollywood perversion movies and the video games do cheapen life. While I commend Okiz maturity, it must be acknowledged that weak minded cretins do think these things are real, and do submerge themselves into these false worlds created by game makers. Dungeons and Dragons is a classic example. A doctor on the East coast was killed by some D&D freak at the behest of his own daughter who saw herself as the “Queen Sorcerer” or some crap. They do influence idiot punks. Not all, but some for sure.
  
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1Haole_Boy
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:06pm
MAHALO SIR, My prayers are with you and other grieving families.
Enforcement is, as you say, the key to safety and not more useless gun laws.
The more restrictions on guns; the more we have open season for criminals on disarmed citizens.
__The guy who did the shooting on that horrorific day could not pass a background check, for one thing, and for the other thing, he used stolen weapons to carry out his ghastly deed.
__Since this shooter did not use the AR-15 he had stolen to commit these murders, what is the use for such a ban on these weapons…..he did not buy the darn thing in the first place.
__Obama misrepresents the dynamic in this problem….he seems to be a very good liar.

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- AmericaMustBeFree
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:32pm
  He is a liar, but he has ulterior motives on why they want to ban the guns they want to ban. Far more nefarious reasons I can guarantee you. All one has to do is look to history.. and see the real reasons why this administrations wants your guns.. The bottom is about to fall out of America’s world.. they know it and are trying to stop what will proceed after their failure, deceit, lies etc are exposes them for what they really are. Obama has worked hard the last 4 years to topple America, he will work double time the next 4 to bring forth what he and others want.. and if that happens America will be no more! And those who voted for him blindly will then be wondering how the hell they got here.. when those of us who already knew will say, “I told you so, but you wouldn’t listen”!
  
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- catty
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:33pm
  He didn’t steal the gun
  
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- DSTSS2010
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:08pm
  to CATTY..
  Everything I have seen indicates that this sicko did in fact steal his Mother’s guns after he killed her. Where is the data supporting your claim?
  
  Report this comment
perry1980
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:53pm
Bless you Sir.

Common Sense is So UNCommon nowadays

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Thundergod
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:51pm
Sorry for the loss of your son sir.Thank you for your display of common sense and not feeding into hysteria. Julie Roginsky is the typical liberal activist liar that uses distorted facts and misconceptions to further her arguments to those ignorant of the facts. She does it everytime I see her on FOX News.

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TotallyNotATroll
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:51pm
This guy is absolutely right, but I don’t see civility coming any time soon sadly.

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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:58am
  Totally,
  You are exactly right. When one side consistently derides and insults the other and blames them for all the woes we face, there comes a time when the gloves come off and it is no more Mr Nice Guy. That time has long past. The lack of civility is because of the commies, not us. We are just flat out sick of their crap.
  
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mikem1969
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:50pm
Finally someone involved in Sandy Hook that makes a common sense plea to the government. Not only is it common sense, but it is simple. ENFORCE CURRENT LAWS. God bless this man and his family.

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- JRook
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:10pm
  No question we need to get rid of the distracting laws and regulations promulgated by the NRA and their supporters and keep it simple. First universal background checks, 100% registration of all guns, 100% tracking of guns from manufacturer to final sale. Manufacturer, wholesaler, gun shop or gun owner (depending on where gun is) having criminal and civil responsibility and liability for any crimes committed by a gun registered to them, unless it is reported stolen within 72 hours. Simple and no limitations of those precious 2nd. amendment rights. As with rights comes responsibility….. a very very conservative value.
  
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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:22pm
  Sorry JROOK, not going to happen. We won’t comply with any new laws, period. We’ve been nice to your kind for far too long. This is it, we give nothing more and we take everything back. Not one more inch to your or your kind.
  
  No discussion, no debate, no compromise. Your time has drawn to a close, and you’ve nothing but your side’s own ambition and arrogance to blame.
  
  No compliance. You’re being neutered. Get used to it.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:23pm
  JCROOK, we already have the proper law, the 2nd Amendment. Like any of the rights guaranteed to us by the Bill Of Rights, those rights come with responsibilities. You know, that personal accountability that you guys don’t seem to like? Like all of the left wing loons, it is you guys who constantly stir trouble and try to separate the people of this nation by race, religion/non-religion, class envy, then want to let the criminals out of the jails. Think about it, the way you want to do things actually endangers yourself and your family. But alas, nothing will ever get through that thick skull of your’s, right? When we say that when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. We know it means the current batch of criminals will only jump for joy because we all become potential and unprotected targets of opportunity. You, simply will rub your hands together with joy in your heart that you got your way and Utopia is on the way. Keep dreaming fool.
  
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- donttreadonryan
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:34pm
  J. Background checks yes. 100% registration. Great idea; but so is the concept of communism (until people act like people do and get power hungry). I say this with the utmost respect to your freedoms. To think there will be compliance with that rule makes no sense and it infringes on the second amendment. Your points while well intended will not work because we will not comply.
  
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- republitarian
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:38pm
  No deal, Jrook.
  
  I see Ghost has this one. I’m going back to H Po then. :)
  
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- brother_ed
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:45pm
  Life is so sime under progressivism:
  
  100% approval of diet.
  
  100% approval of all habits.
  
  100% approval of all transportation options.
  
  100% approval of all wages, work conditions and benefits.
  
  100% approval of all medical treatment.
  
  See…simple.
  
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- donttreadonryan
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:50pm
  That and what ghost said. Nobody and I mean nobody can argue with the ghosts logical unemotional stance. Keep it up.
  
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- pudssweetie
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:29pm
  JROOK, more regulations is not nor will it ever stop crimes from happening nor will it keep guns out of criminals hands. Watch the video I posted, then ask yourself if that is the kind of Country you want to live in.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=fGaDAThOHhA
  
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- Dirtdigger67
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:59pm
  Jkook you troll I see you are back !!!
  
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- 19RANDY59
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:04pm
  Anyone with common sense, knows you could run all of society using only the book of Deuteronomy. all other laws, codes, and ordinances, are purely political.
  
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- YOURSENSEI
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:31pm
  Mr or Ms GHOSTOFJEFFERSON,
  
  This is what you must know:
  
  You all said exactly the same thing six months ago when you were certain of an Obama defeat. This bluster is no different than that bluster. Your sense of romance will not withstand the rule of law. All it will take is a few of your brethren getting drunk and mistaking themselves for Davy Crockett, firing their muskatoons at the wrong crew and KABOOM . . . you and your ilk will be the sackless soldiers of liberty. Face it, the Tea Party is dead. The WASP era is over. You are no longer “we the people.” You are simply “they the anachronisms. Conservatives have been promoted to their own level of incompetence. Remember this . . . “Obama and the liberal traitors will see their demise come Nov 6.”
  
  it is so.
  
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- ThePirateRagnar
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:59pm
  @J
  
  I will give up my guns when the United States dismantles it’s nuclear weapons. Not that I want us to, but if the UN passed a resolution that required all nations to identify all of their nuclear weapons, provide lats and longs of their locations, provide gps tracking devices on each one and report it to the UN should one come up “missing”, what exactly do you think the US would do? We would respectfully decline. Why?
  
  Well, because we know that N. Korea will never give up it’s nuclear program. Iran has no intention to either. Nor would Communist China or Russia. That’s what we call a Mexican Standoff. Peace through strength. Simple concept really. You don’t kill me, I won’t kill you.
  
  I submit to you JRook, that the United States would not abide such a resolution made by the UN because it knows there are wolves at the door. There are countries we perceive as “bad”. Bad because we know they intend to do us or our allies harm. And how then do we perceive ourselves? Obviously as “good”. We must. I just saw a Navy commercial that referred to itself as “A Global Force for Good”. So according to The United States of America’s position on a Nuclear Weapons Ban, the only deterrent to a bad country with a nuclear weapon, is a good country with a nuclear weapon.
  
  Now, if you put that in more individual terms, you have the words of Wayne Lapierre. So, take your useless, tired and rather pussafied position on the “the tragic use of senseless violence” and sho
  
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- ThePirateRagnar
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 10:05pm
  You’re lucky it cut me off!
  
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- OneShotPagan
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:18am
  yoursensei – learn a new term that your kind will ultimately have to live with (snic) … kill ratio
  
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- skyguy51
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 7:47am
  JROOK, Canada just gave up on it’s mandatory registration. Cost way more than estimated. Took away police resources from working crimes to a big bookkeeping nightmare.
  
  Lanza’s mother wasn’t exactly able to report her firearms missing was she?
  
  Affixing responsibility? Okay how about mandatory life sentences for politicians who create these “gun free killing zones”. Seems to me they share part of the blame for creating the opportunity for killers to massacre people.
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 9:41am
  SenselessSensei is just WangDang on a new rx cocktail. Pay it no mind, unless it goes into how it was the hero of Fallujah2.
  
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TimetoStoptheInsanity
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:50pm
God Bless you, Mr. Mattioli.

Gut-wrenching to watch the pain he is going through, but uplifting to hear the words you spoke – words that couldn’t ring more true.

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mtsnj
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:49pm
Thank You Mr. Mattioli, God bless you and your family.

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FaithfulFriend
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:49pm
I’m never amazed when the truth is spoken. I’m always amazed when those who hear it embrace it with malice towards none.

In America, there are still tens of millions of dads who would calmly speak the same truth if provided an opportunity, without having to go through this horrible loss in order to be provided such an opportunity.

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ThePirateRagnar
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:44pm
God Bless You Mr. Mattioli. Thank you for your sensable words. Thank you for your bravery to say them. It is my deepest regret that you have lost your child. He can rest peaceably knowing he was dearly loved by you. May he be proud that you are the man you are. Your heroism spoke today for all of us law abiding firearms owners who wish like hell we could have been there to stand in the way of the lunatic who took the children of Sandy Hook.

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- 000degrees
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:56pm
  I knew there had to be at least one out there from that horrible event that thought this way. Funny how it took this type of forum for his word to get out there. I bet he has been saying this all along but it is not the kind of dialog msm wants to promote…….
  
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- ohiograndma
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:37pm
  Echoing the sentiments of the Pirate.
  
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barber2
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:42pm
And will the MSM even publicize this man’s passionate, rational, and wise words ? This man has every right to be heard as he is a parent who lost a child ; he isn’t just a politician who is pushing a programmed agenda.

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Extremerightwing
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:40pm
I pray this man, has through his courage, has diffused the scenario we have playing out before us, of this 2nd revolution, will the voice of reason prevail?

We all must pray and hope, otherwise, we too will suffer this unbearable pain, our nation cannot bare this burden, our wounds are too deep, and our strength too weary, God in heaven please help our dying nation from being torn apart, and fed to the wolves, like king david, we must wear sackcloth and pour ashes on our heads and repent, and again turn our hearts toward him as a nation, and He woll be our King!

I am the furthest from a bible thumper, i just know this is really true. Only then will we find healing.

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Gonzo
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:38pm
May God assuage your grief Mr. Mattioli. You make more sense in the depths of your grief than our present government does.

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- MacWell
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 12:09am
  God is the only one who can calm his heart enough to allow him to continue living. I have great grandchildren and can’t even imagine going through what these people have had to endure.
  God, continue to bless these who’ve gone through this agony.
  
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grimmster
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:38pm
Though this mans logic carries no flaws, the left will make up some b/s as to why he doesnt support new gun laws, ny guess is, they will say ” the NRA got to this man,and paid him off”. Pedrsonally, i would like to shake his had, for having more than half a brain, and not letting his emotions rule him….God bless you Mr. Mattioli!

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- 19RANDY59
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:54pm
  Hey Grim, you seem quite rational when you’re not calling names, LOL
  
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:32pm
God Bless Mark Mattioli for making a hell of a lot ot of sense. I am surprised they let him finish. Civility, a symptom from the Chief in Agitator. We already have laws, enforce them! Hell. Yes.
It’s too bad that his representative will dismiss him and vote the way his party votes.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:30pm
I can’t imagine his pain it must be unreal to lose a child like that and I don’t know how he or any of the parents can even function after such a massacre. Of course the man is correct no new gun laws will prevent a massacre like this just enforce the laws on the books.

, instead, personal responsibility, accountability and civility are the best path forward.

Again he’s correct but progressives don’t believe in any of those virtues and unfortunately for us they write our laws and have been for many many years.

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Fubared
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:24pm
This man has actual grit. Well said during incredible pain. Wow. Just fricken wow.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:06pm
  Surf your news channels tonight and see if anything is on about this guy. If so, they will be comparing him to Rush Limbaugh and call him an obvious member of this nation’s terrorist group known as the NRA. Also, watch for ENCINOM to whine and call him the same thing.
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:10pm
  Fox gave it a run earlier, oops faux news for the libs. Sad all around. He shouldn’t be in that crap spot to have to speak to the truth of things, and sadder still the encidiot’s responses to it. Yeh, panned story by the msm’s- wrong narrative for them to use.
  
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OKNative
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:23pm
Amen sir. I am sorry for your tragic and needless loss and my heart goes out to you. I salute you for your rational thinking and the courage you exhibited in expressing your thought publically. May God bless you always.

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ExO
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:21pm
Applause and Thank you to this Man
Finally some common sense.
Sir you are a true American.

Thank you….

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Cavallo
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:19pm
Logic matters not to the fascists, Mr. Mattioli. History nor freedom matter to the fascists, sir. They will happily stand on your son’s body and write laws written in his blood to strip you and the rest of us of our natural rights as human beings. The Leftists are as sick and twisted and vile as the man who snuffed out your son’s life.

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- HKS
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:30pm
  Lefties would be the same.
  
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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:38pm
  You got that right they’ll write any law they can think of to strip us of our natural right to defend ourselves or any right for that matter. To the collectivist our constitution is but a speed bump to their ultimate goal,a dictatorship and all these laws and regulations they cook up are their tools to accomplish their goal.
  
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- drs1969
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 3:41pm
  And the way they(Leftists) were expoiting this before the bodies were cold tells me they may very well have been behind it. Did you hear about the Narrows, VA school system closing the first day of the year? Apparently, they think the CIA or Feds were behind it, too.
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on January 29, 2013 at 2:25pm
  Senseless WanDang, you are a pretty sick pup. Did you not enter the path in your heroic fighting at Fallujah 2? Did you use the spork on your hobo knife of what?
  
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