Watch Live: Congressional Hearing on IRS Scandal

Live Now on TheBlaze Radio: ‘The Buck Sexton Show’

Crime

‘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:

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (207)

BHOHG2G
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:41pm
You’ll never hear from this guy again. He gave a message contrary to what BO wants people to hear. I’m surprised someone on Bo’s staff didn’t pull the plug on this guy.
Beware, people. This admin is getting more and more blatant in dealing with problems.
He ain’t got nothing to lose now.
What’s really shocking is hearing the grabbers say that the respect the 2nd amendment while trying to outlaw almost any firearm in some way……. and the sheeple eat it up.
I still wonder how many progs , demos and libs would off themselves if BO did a “Jim Jones”. I’m guessing a lot.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Uechi
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:41pm
God bless him and his little boy. Here’s a man that looks at facts not hysteria. If anybody would have a right to think with emotions instead of logic it would be him. Kudos for using you God given intelligence.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DefyTYRANNY
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:24pm
Do not fall for the narrative. The “Mental Health” angle is and always was what they hope to achieve here. Everything this guy says makes sense, but keep looking at recurring themes in all of the media releases on Sandy Hook. Anyone who has not read this goal list from Congressional Record needs to read it NOW. Specifically goal #38 and #39. This is from 1963.

http://archive.glennbeck.com/news/03212002.shtml

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BHOHG2G
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:49pm
  They’re well on their way aren’t they? Stupid stupid sheeple.
  
  Report this comment
dodgedart1966
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:20pm
This man lost his child. He still has the sense to also blame the gov’t for it’s failures instead of just the gun.
Now the he has made public statements, maybe more who think the same way will follow.
One can only wish.
Unless he’s torn apart on twitter, or face book like most other people who don’t toe the line.
Remember, the use of a gun was the result of a deranged mind, not the cause.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
DefyTYRANNY
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:19pm
Do not fall for this. Notice the “Mental Health” issue brought up once again as a common sense measure. And all of you are patting this guy on the back. Everything else he says makes sense. But make no mistake, this is aimed to gain your sympathies. The Mental Health issue is and always has been the main goal of this entire circus. It is the gateway they want to open. I have said this before, but anyone who has not read this list of goals from Congressional Record in the Glenn Beck archive needs to do so NOW. #38 and #39 specifically. This is the second time i have typed this because it was not posted the first time.

http://archive.glennbeck.com/news/03212002.shtml

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- chips1
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:28pm
  If mental health was part of the background check. Obama wouldn’t be allowed near the “button”.
  
  Report this comment
- DefyTYRANNY
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 9:07pm
  Like anything else, at first it will be just a wedge in the door. Or tape over the lock plate. Don’t kid yourself.
  
  Report this comment
Biblicalman
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:11pm
LIke Paul Ryan said Hillary Clinton would make a good President which was said 2 days ago. Like Fox news said today Hillary is a outstanding Politician. LIke Obama said Hillary is a great person and is well suited for the Democratic canidate for President in 20116. LIke Romney said yesterday Hillary is a well deserved person to run for Preisdent. Like MSNBC said Hillary if she ran would win. CNN today , Hillary is our only prayer in 2016.
Fox news today made a statement about the tea party. We will snub them out. They costed us the election. Cnn is talking about the Tea party MSNBC is doing the same. When are you people gonna wake up? The conservatives is the Democrats . They have the same Agenda. Take your rights away right infront of your eyes.
The last President that was for the people got shot 2 times in the head for wanting to disband the feds. Stop with the Reagan. He was not the ALMIGHTY savior. He somewhat balanced the budget off of the poor. over 5 trillion in the Social Security funds and he used it as a piggy bank , FACT.
Carter tried but at that time we still had a few politicians that actually cared and he was denied of stealing from the poor to balance the spending of the goverment.
You all complain about guns and boo hoo on this guys speech? That is the least of your worries right along with mine. Get the repulicans out of our gov ASAP. Just like the Dems they don’t care about anything but themselves.
Wanna save America ? Put people in that care.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
HavocK
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:07pm
Part two:

Yea, YOU are the mentally ill, if the ‘Committee’ determines you are, for whatever reason.

IT IS ALL CONNECTED!

So, go ahead, keep talking about the “MENTALLY ILL”. It is YOU.

Give just a little, and what you don’t give, “they” will take. What “they” don’t take, “they” will get one way or another, and the ‘sheeple’ will be glad to help out. (Maybe YOU are mentally ill.)

“They” will invent ways to make a person “FIT” into a category that will suit “their” needs. When you wonder how or why, it’s too late, you are no longer a ‘citizen’, you are a ‘subject’ enslaved by your own foolishness! Subjected to laws that are UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THOSE WHO HAVE EARS LET THEM HEAR!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
HavocK
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:06pm
This is two parts. Part one:

If a person has EVER, present or past, taken a prescription drug that can be related to depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, or ANY other drug related to brain function, you can be found mentally ill by ObamaCARE’s “Committee,” or the “Secretary,” or the “Death Panel.” Take your pick (They are all operated by the same puppet master).

Yep, just keep following like ‘sheeple.’ It s in the “Affordable Health Care Act” to have all medical records be input into a database, (if you did not know, it looks like “CONGRESS” isn’t the only one who did not read the bill.)
((c) MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS.—)
{starting on page 247, or just word search “Database” yourself!}

WHY? You might ask, well, when you go for a background check, you not only get your criminal record checked from your State Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local court on record, NOW you will have the “Committee” look into your electronic medical records. So, you will now have a long wait, just to be denied your 2nd Amendment right by the “Committee,” who, by the way, have NO medical training whatsoever!

The “Committee” will only be looking for red flag words, like condition such as ”depression or angry,” or drug names like “Prozac, Adderall, Focalin, or Ritalin.” Having trouble sleeping? Careful what you use to get some Zzzz’s. These pills can also be used agai

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
gyro
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 6:02pm
well done
this fellow said it well
he is a very brave man for speeking

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
rfycom
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:43pm
Correct. The problem is not the guns. It is the fact that the ******* who has one aimed at me is insane. Fortunately, I have a bigger gun cause I been keeping up with the arms race in my small town. Only sum bitch got a gun bigger gun than mine is Delbert Collins. You wait though, I order myself a damn tank. Take that Delbert. Yeeeeehaaaaaaa

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
BlackCrow
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:37pm
One word EXACTLY!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
blackfeather
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:31pm
….and all the “politicians” are aiding the corruption of this country….*especially* the current group of dog droppings in the white house. This man is on the money….damn what a difference in verbage compared to what we “hear” and are “told” every damn day.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
KalanVA
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:23pm
Democrats throw mental health patients out on the street. Ask Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. http://hamptonroads.com/2011/01/no-vacancy-eastern-state-hospital

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Vilgax
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:21pm
My heart goes out to this great man. I am so upset over the loss of these children and it is disgusting that the liberals have USED this nightmare for everything under the sun related to their anti-gun agenda. What about working WITH the American people to bring our culture back to morality? These shootings are not the result of “gun-nuts” gone wild. This is a direct result of the liberal and progressive march towards the incremental removal of God and worship from the American landscape.
We are producing godless and heartless people in order to accomplish only one thing – voting for liberals. Sure, they call us heartless. Why? Because they have to have something to say to create anger. They are angry and very scary people who are capable of slaughtering millions of innocent people, men, women, children, unborn babies, and anyone who doesn’t play their game. They will be dealt with, if not by the rest of us, by God Himself.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
jeffersonian1776
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:09pm
Some on here like JRook, SendtheMeteors, Encimen, take your pick love to say things like what is an “arm?” Does that give someone the right to own a tank or mortar launcher, or other weapons? Well, NO, not according to the federal Constitution. It is very clear as to what a firearm is, and by the way, mortar launchers and tanks fall under the category of ARTILLERY! Now, per the 9th and 10th Amendments, the several states can outlaw weapons, even guns if the choose, but people can vote with their feet. If your state says that you can own a cannon, tank, or other piece of artillery then yes by all rights, you are allowed. In my great state of Tennessee, we can own such things, and we are allowed to own fully automatic mitiltary use machine guns. We also have open carry. I was in Wal-Mart yesterday and saw a guy with 45 and another with a 1911 on his side. There are no registration laws either, unless fully automatic. The problem here is with the outright abuse of the 9th and 10th Amendments. The federal gubmint despises states’ rights for the most part, unless it’s for something along the lines of marijuana legalization (which I’m for) or gay marriage (which I’m not for). But that is the importance of state sovereignty, the threat and implementation of secession, and the human civil right to vote with your feet. Like Phil Mickelson is doing–he’s not only taking his capital out of CA, but they are also gonna lose the human capital as well–No Phil, No Money!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Dustoff
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:43pm
  Have you noticed how the lib’s talk about MORE laws. yet say nothing of O-dumbers & Holder Fast & Furious mess that has left hundreds dead.
  
  Report this comment
Derek01
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:09pm
He makes perfectly good sense. Unfortunately it’s falling on deaf ears of the liberal politicians because good sense goes against liberals philosophy.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
tomasreal
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:02pm
What scares me the most about the new push for gun control is unfortunately what most believes will be a good idea, and that is background checks. Wake up, unless there is some universal standard that makes sense applied to background checks it will be all that is needed to disarm every citizen and take everyone’s guns. I’ve already witnessed what I consider to be outrageous violations of individuals second amendment rights based on the completely irrational terms of already existing background requirements. I wouldn’t put it past our government that some day in the not too distant future one the questions on the background check will be if you have ever removed a tag from a pillow case.
There needs to be a universal standard that can not be added to and that considers youthful mistakes so not to not penalize good citizens some 40 years later.

We don’t take away peoples freedom of speech if they are con men, yet we take away some ones guns and cripple their ability to defend themselves and family for crimes that are in no way relate to responsible gun use. Some 100 million people have been murdered in the last hundred years because of one book ( the communist manifesto) yet everyone can have one regardless of the fact that in the wrong hands its more dangerous than a nuclear weapon. Why doesn’t every one need a background check before they can read Marxism?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- flatbroke
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:13pm
  Agree 1000000000000000000000000000000000% the commie manifesto is very deadly, and should be banned.
  
  Report this comment
flatbroke
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:58pm
I am so sorry for Mr Mattioli loss, he is a brave man, and he is right. where is the parenting, the civility, and if someone comes to your childs school to do harm, what do you want to have happen to that person, its a very simple answer for me, i want an armed guard/ principle/teacher in that school to take his/her ar15 or pistol, or knife, or bat, and take that person out.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
uptickusa
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:56pm
Demo fool go back to status quo -that is the problem IDIOT not to go back to status quo-Enforce the laws 25 years to life ciome with gun..

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Dano.50
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:55pm
A while ago I got into it with an anti-gun frother. No matter my source – including FBI crime stats – he kept ranting “Does anybody need a high capacity magazine? Does anybody need a high capacity magazine? Does anybody need a high capacity magazine?” over and over so often I wondered if Piers Morgan had opened up a journalism school.

He obviously didn’t know the difference between needs and desires so, a need is something you will die without. Air, water, food and shelter for example.

The libs are probably already gloating, “See? High capacity mags are not a need.” but…

In the old days, practically every man was a marksman before he was ten. Boys were expected to help put food on the table and for every bullet expended there had better be meat.

Nobody does that any more though, and accurac the result of number of bullets fired, has dropped. If you don’t go expend enough ammunition in practice, you will darn sure “need” more in crisis.

So following the reasoning behind the 2nd Amendment, a high capacity magazine is a need as you can definitely perish without it.

The “need” argument is faulty anyway.

Kids don’t need cell phones or computers.

We don’t “need” any more money than necessary to survive.

And nobody “needs” drugs or pornography, both of which have caused far more death and misery than high capacity mags.

So the next time a lib uses the “need” angle, ask if he ever did drugs.

Then tell him he “needs” to calm

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Dano.50
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:52pm
  Then tell him he “needs” to calm down.
  
  Report this comment
nocalifornia
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:51pm
My heart goes out to this man and all the families effected by a crazed maniac but his words will fall on deaf ears. The politicians see an opportunity, maybe the best they have had since 1963, to disarm the citizens of this country and make them subjects. It will in the end fail because the American spirit is alive and well, not in the big corrupt cities like New York or Chicago, but in the heartland of this great country. This is where the first shot will be fired and neighbors will come to aid of one another in the defense of freedom, like we have always done. There is a reason why the gun shop shelves are empty, the ammo stocks are sold out, the gun powder, bullets, and primers are not available, we are prepared to do what we must to protect freedom from all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
sandrunner
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:51pm
Did she said to regulate civility? Is she nuts…civility is done by kindness. She can not even regulate guns.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
RoscoSnubs
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:50pm
Mark, God bless you and your family. I lost my daughter in a car accident.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
LarryL2
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:45pm
Sadly he’s wrong. Gun laws work everywhere. The ones you have are watered down and useless because of lobbying.

USA 9 gun deaths per 100K citizens
Same games, movies and tv shows as:
Canada: < 1 gun death per 100K citizens

A perfectly reasonable and up right ciizen can snap. Or develop mental health issues. If they don't have access to automatic weapons, they can't use them. No other developed nation ignores this reality, just the US. And why?

And don't get me wrong, having a hand gun or rifle is fine and better for your home and hunting. And I know none of this is perfect and won't prevent everything. But stats don't lie. Having this weapons so readily available IS the issue. You can't expalin away reality. You can just ignore it, which is exactly what is happening here.

You are being manipulated to think your rights are at risk. They are not. This is about money and power. The NRA and gun manufacturers don't want to lose this cash cow. And they spend millions getting laws watered down so they can have you continue to feed their pockets with guns you don't need and have no use for. And those watered down laws are what is not working.

I am not a rabid Obama supporter. I don't like much of what he's done. The media is corrupt on both sides, right and left. As is Congress. Just look outside the US and you can see that automatic weapons bans work.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- RoscoSnubs
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:54pm
  Larry, get a life.
  
  Report this comment
- Dustoff
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:47pm
  So larry, who gave Mexican drugs lords some of the most powerful guns in the world. Yes that be our Prez and his AG.
  Now you really want to talk about laws. Who in their right mind would give 50 cal sniper rifle to drug gangs that have left hundreds dead. Not the NRA fool.
  
  Report this comment
- pudssweetie
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 5:57pm
  Larry apparently you have not seen what gun bans have done in Australia, Look at Chicago, who have some of the strictest gun laws on the books, yet the crime rate is way up. You need to stop believing in the rhetoric that stricter gun laws reduce crimes, because it doesn’t, watch the video below.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=fGaDAThOHhA
  
  Report this comment
- Gunlovinmomma
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 7:10pm
  Larry,
  They are not automatic weapons, if you are going to make such statements, you should make sure that you know what you are talking about. The ARs are NOT automatic – they are semi-automatic and there is a big difference. Once again fully automatics (what the military uses) can be operated in fully automatic or semi-automatic mode; when in full-auto the operator can hold the trigger in and the gun will continue firing till you let off the trigger. A semi-automatic is 1 bullet for 1 trigger pull. The main difference between the semi-automatic and a bolt action rifle is that with a semi-autos the bullet is pushed into the chamber without having to use a the bolt action. This gun was not used at Newtown and In the theater shooting it jammed after a few shot; he did most of the damage with the other guns. Any cop will tell you ARs are rarely ever used in crimes.
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on January 28, 2013 at 8:35pm
  LARRY:
  Tell Moe and Curley I said Hi.
  
  Report this comment
MN NICE
Posted on January 28, 2013 at 4:45pm
Can’t imagine what he and his family have endured through this.

Agree with everything the man said. He got a standing ovation, but do you think anybody in those chambers heard a word he said?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.