CT health experts: Gun violence should be treated like an epidemic

HARTFORD — While Connecticut has passed legislation in recent years to strengthen laws on gun ownership, those who champion the issue concede there is only so much a law can do to stem gun violence.

A panel of advocates, legislators, and health care providers discussed that dilemma Monday at a roundtable on gun safety organized by House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford and Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford.

Several health care experts stated that gun violence needs to be treated like an epidemic, like any other mental health or drug addiction issue.

One of those pushing that narrative was William Begg, the emergency medical services director at Danbury Hospital, which is located about 10 miles from where 26 people were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012.