Statement Of Newtown Family Members On Manchin-Toomey Compromise To Expand Background Checks

This is a release from Mayors Against Illegal Guns released on behalf of 33 family members from Newtown, CT

NEWTOWN, Conn., April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Below is a statement from 33 family members whose loved ones were murdered in the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut:

"While nothing can be done to bring back our loved ones, we are deeply encouraged by the leadership demonstrated yesterday by Senators Manchin and Toomey. Their bipartisan compromise to expand background checks will help keep guns from falling into the wrong hands, and most importantly it will help save lives. The Senators who have vowed to filibuster this bill should be ashamed of their attempt to silence efforts to prevent the next American tragedy. Their staunch opposition to sensible gun reform is an affront to the 26 innocent children and educators who were murdered in Newtown. No one should have to experience the pain we have endured – commonsense gun laws will help spare others from the grief we live with every day. We thank Senators Manchin and Toomey for coming together to honor the memory of the victims of Sandy Hook, and we urge their colleagues in Congress to join them."

This statement can be attributed to the following family members of Newtown victims:

Erica Lafferty, daughter of Dawn Hochsprung
Chris McDonnell, father of Grace McDonnell
Lynn McDonnell, mother of Grace McDonnell
Teresa Rousseau, mother of Lauren Rousseau
Matthew Rousseau, brother of Lauren Rousseau
Carlos Soto, Father of Victoria Soto
Donna Soto, Mother of Victoria Soto
Carlee Soto, Sister of Victoria Soto
Carlos M. Soto, Brother of Victoria Soto
Jillian Soto, Sister of Victoria Soto
Donald Fagan, Grandfather of Victoria Soto
Debra Cronk, Aunt and Godmother of Victoria Soto
Robert Cronk, Uncle of Victoria Soto
Dean Fagan, Uncle and Godfather of Victoria Soto
Denise Fagan, Aunt of Victoria Soto
Donald Fagan, Uncle of Victoria Soto
Linda Fagan, Aunt of Victoria Soto
Alex Fagan, cousin of Victoria Soto
Amy Wiltsie, cousin of Victoria Soto
Brianne Cronk, cousin of Victoria Soto
Christopher Fagan, cousin of Victoria Soto
Donald Fagan, cousin of Victoria Soto
Douglas Fagan, cousin of Victoria Soto
James Sutera, cousin of Victoria Soto
James Wiltsie, cousin of Victoria Soto
Jennifer Wiltsie Pjatak, cousin of Victoria Soto
Karen Sutera, cousin of Victoria Soto
Kyle Biebel Knapp, cousin of Victoria Soto
Heather Cronk, cousin of Victoria Soto
Wesley Cronk, cousin of Victoria Soto
Zachary Fagan, cousin of Victoria Soto
Mary Aileen D'Avino, mother of Rachel D'Avino
Sarah Nicole D'Avino, sister of Rachel D'Avino

CONTACTS
Erika Soto Lamb: esotolamb@rabengroup.com or 646-580-5281
Alex Katz: akatz1@cityhall.nyc.gov or 617-721-3779

SOURCE Mayors Against Illegal Guns