© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Mixed Views Follow Obama's Hartford Visit

Chion Wolf

http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Samaia/Obama%20In%20Hartford.mp3

While President Obama pushed for stronger gun control Monday at the University of Hartford, students and guests who heard him speak at the Chase Family Arena had mixed views about his chances for success.

 
U Hart Freshman Jesse Prante says President Obama's visit to Hartford sends a strong message to Congress. 
 
"It's unreal that it happened here," he said. "Him coming here just shows the togetherness of the nation." 
 
Before the event, hundreds of students like Prante waited in  lines that stretched around the arena. They stood and shouted each time the president made a point in his push for universal background checks, and stronger gun laws. 
 
The president's speech also motivated a crowd that included first responders and education officials. But West Hartford resident Ray Rossomand says there's still a tough fight ahead. 
 
"There are a lot more areas of the country that need to come along," said Rossomando.
 
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, who spoke to reporters minutes before the President took the podium, says stricter gun laws in Washington could help curb violence in Connecticut's urban areas. 
 
"We hope that this bill ultimately addresses the crimes that happen in the streets of Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven, including the mass shootings that we've seen far too many of." 
 
Obama also called to strengthen school safety and support for mental health. 
 

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.