Neil Heslin, father of 6-year-old Newtown victim Jesse Lewis, attempted to describe the indescribable–the loss of a child. Mr. Heslin buried his son in December after he and 19 of his schoolmates and six school officials were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Heslin was speaking before members of the Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety, a bipartisan group established in response to the Newtown shooting that left 20 schoolchildren and six adults dead.
During an especially heartbreaking portion of Mr. Heslin’s testimony, he recounted the horror of seeing his son being laid to rest.
“It’s not a good feeling to look at your child laying in a casket. Or looking at your child with a bullet wound to the forehead. It’s a real sad thing,” Mr. Heslin said, his voice heavy with grief.
Mr. Heslin asked the crowd made up of legislators, law enforcement professionals and concerned citizens if anyone could explain to him the need for military-style weapons in the home.
“Second Amendment shall not be infringed!” gun-rights supporters cried out. “Shall not infringe on our rights.”
The calls were quickly silenced, but the message was loud and clear. The struggle for stricter gun control will be hard-fought on both sides.
Wednesday, the National Rifle Association’s Wayne LaPierre will meet with the Senate Judiciary Committee to argue against strengthening gun legislation.
UPDATE: The original video that accompanied this post has been replaced with a longer portion of Mr. Heslin’s testimony.
Lana Schupbach