Conn. officials angered by Senate rejection of expanded gun sale background checks

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut officials are reacting with shock and anger after the U.S. Senate rejected gun control legislation inspired by the school massacre in the state, including tightened background checks.

State lawmakers recently passed a sweeping bipartisan package of measures including a ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines and an expanded assault weapons ban.

State Republican House Leader Lawrence Cafero Jr. appeared stunned the U.S. Senate couldn’t pass a background checks compromise. He says “I just don’t understand how you could vote no.”

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says senators who voted against the measure “should be ashamed of themselves.”

Mark Barden’s son Daniel was killed on Dec. 14 in the massacre. He appeared with President Barack Obama following the vote Wednesday. He says families are returning home “disappointed but not defeated.”