Abbreviated Pundit Round-up: Time to act

Lawrence O'Donnell features my friend and colleague Bill Begg, MD testifying at the public hearing in Newtown this week:

'' what I'm asking for is (that) you consider a stronger assault weapons ban, elimination of the sale of semi-automatic weapons, restrictions on the size of magazine clips, number of rounds, extend background checks and also please let us do some gun research that's real' Allow me as a medical doctor, when I see a patient or when my colleagues see a patient, when I educate them on the effects of alcohol or tobacco, safe sex, motor vehicle accidents, can I please talk to them about the risks of gun violence? Please?'

What CT does may be ultimately different than what the US does, but it'll take state efforts to deal with weapons that cross city lines and national efforts to deal with weapons that cross state lines.

Ken Dixon/CT Post:

The Legislature's mission is clear

If Connecticut doesn't end up with the toughest gun-control laws in the nation, the General Assembly will have failed its post-Sandy Hook School mission. Simple as that.

This was dawning on me last Wednesday night, about two-thirds of the way through the nearly 6-hour public hearing in Newtown High School.

Sitting on the stage, set to basting temperatures by the TV lights, were about 50 of the state's top lawmakers, exhibited behind desks for the 500 mostly local residents who showed up.

Gun-control advocates outnumbered gun enthusiasts by about 10-1, among the 80 people who spoke...

Yes, the tide has shifted against the National Rifle Association, particularly in this state.

RT @joshtpm: Awesome beyond belief. NRA released list of enemies including ABA, AMA, Mel Brooks, Chaka khan || Chaka Khan? Chaka Khan...
' @KagroX via TweetDeck
More politics and pundits below the fold.