Connecticut Moves Cautiously On Guns In Newtown's Wake

Connecticut's governor is vowing to take action to prevent another tragedy like the Newtown school massacre. Governor  Malloy said in his State of the State address Wednesday that he will do everything in his power to stop further violence. But he did not offer any specific proposals. An advisory panel he set up last week is due to issue recommendations in March on gun control and other issues arising from the shooting rampage nearly a month ago that left 27 people dead. Malloy, a Democrat, is moving cautiously in a relatively liberal Northeastern state that has a strong gun culture and is home to some of the nation's best-known firearm makers. Among them is Colt.

March Planned At Hartford Over Gun Laws

A grassroots group is organizing a rally at the state Capitol, urging lawmakers to change Connecticut's gun laws in the wake of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Abbey Nayor, a spokeswoman for March for Change, said the organization hopes at least 2,000 will turn out on Valentine's Day for the planned rally. The group is currently booking buses to bring people to the state Capitol. Nayor said March for Change wants the General Assembly to pass legislation that bans large-capacity ammunition clips, limiting them to 10 rounds. Robert Crook, executive director of the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen, has said such a change would turn many semiautomatic weapons "into paperweights" because they take 15-round clips.

East Hartford Man Pleads Not Guilty In Triple Slaying

A man accused of killing his 74-year-old mother and two others in East Hartford has pleaded not guilty in Hartford Superior Court. The Hartford Courant reports that 48-year-old Brett Bednarz waived a preliminary hearing on Wednesday and entered not guilty pleas to three counts of murder, as well as first-degree burglary, home invasion and capital felony. If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of release. Bednarz is jailed in lieu of $3 million bail. He is due back in court Feb. 13. His mother, Beverly Therrien, and two people staying with her, were beaten to death on Thanksgiving Day 2010. Detectives worked for two years to build their case against Bednarz, who was charged on Oct. 15. He has been in custody since then.

Man Crushed In North Haven Metal Recycling Facilitary

Police say a man has died after apparently being crushed by machinery at a metals recycling plant in North Haven. A spokesman for Sims Metal Management said the man was a longtime customer who was unloading a scrap automobile from his own flatbed carrier at the time of the accident Wednesday. Police said the man had injuries to his chest and abdomen. His name wasn't immediately released. Company spokesman Daniel Strechay said none of the company's workers were involved in the incident, but immediately responded with first aid and notified emergency services. He said the company is working to investigate the circumstances with law enforcement and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

5 Sentenced In Bridgeport Crime Crackdown

Five Bridgeport men have been sentenced to prison after a crackdown on narcotics and weapons dealing at a housing complex. Federal prosecutors said Wednesday four pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to heroin possession and dealing charges. Forty-one-year-old Hassan Rogers was sentenced to 30 months, and his sons, 24-year-old Rashim Carter and 23-year-old Jamiel Thompson, were sentenced to 18 months. Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Newsome, Thompson's uncle, was sentenced to 30 months. Prosecutors said Newsome and Carter were sentenced Wednesday. Rogers and Thompson were sentenced Monday. Also Monday, 19-year-old Alex Santana was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by four months of community detention after pleading guilty to illegally selling a gun. The investigation at the Trumbell Gardens complex began after a man was fatally shot there last May. No one has been charged in the killing.

Mass. Rep Says He'll Ask For $150M In Fish Aid

A Massachusetts congressman says he'll file an amendment to insert $150 million in emergency funds for fishermen in the House's Superstorm Sandy relief bill. Rep. John Tierney's announcement Wednesday comes after the House Rules Committee said it was forwarding legislation that provided $5 million, at most, for fishermen. The figure is a precipitous drop from the $150 million for Northeast, Gulf Coast and Alaskan fishermen that the Senate included in its $60 billion Sandy relief bill in the last Congress. Tierney has complained the House amount is woefully inadequate for a Northeast fishing community facing huge cuts in catch. Tierney said in the coming days he'll work to convince the rules committee to allow a vote on his amendment. Whatever passes the House, the Senate still has input on any disaster aid bill.

Moore Talks Gun Control After Connecticut Shooting

"Bowling for Columbine" director Michael Moore says he's saddened that the nation has not made enough strides toward ending violence in schools. His 2002 documentary, which won an Academy Award, was inspired by the 1999 Columbine High School shootings in Colorado. Last month, 20 children and six adults were shot to death at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Speaking before the National Board of Review Awards on Tuesday night in New York City, Moore said it's "personally heartbreaking" to think his pro-gun control film had little impact. He also said Americans were "a violent people" and the nation needed to take a closer look at itself.