2018 CT Senate race: on Gun Control

Chris Murphy: Teachers don't want to be armed; nor do parents or students

"Arming teachers is one of the most dangerous ideas that anyone could ever come up with for our school children," Murphy said. "Teachers don't want to be armed. Parents don't want schools to be armed. Kids don't want their schools to be armed. We are going to do everything n our power to make sure that Department of Education funds, taxpayer dollars, do not get used to put weapons in our classrooms."

The plan prompted swift condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and many educators, who accused the Trump administration of wanting to deprive students of much-needed mental health support and other resources in the interests of the National Rifle Association.

Chris Murphy: Stricter gun control laws on a federal level

As Connecticut enacted stricter gun control legislation in the state, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy stepped up calls for stricter gun control laws on a federal level.

He introduced an amendment that would block the Education Department from using the funds to arm schools [as the Trump administration is considering]. "Teachers' jobs are already hard enough," Murphy said. "We ask teachers to do more today than we ever have before."

He said teachers are stretched thin today and don't have the ability to be trained in firearms and to safely manipulate and store weapons in schools. "The Secretary of Education cares more about the firearms industry's bottom line than the safety of our kids, and that should scare parents to death," Murphy said .

Matthew Corey: Gun control needs more mental health programs

Ann-Marie Adams: Newtown massacre exposes race and class prejudice