Following President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union Address, Tuesday night, January 12, Connecticut leaders who have been vocal in pursuing improved gun legislation since 12/14 responded to those words.

In an interview with The Newtown Bee prior to the speech, Senator Chris Murphy said that he expected the President to devote some airtime to the issue of gun violence. Sen Murphy invited Sandy Hook resident and Sandy Hook Promise Co-Founder and Advocacy Director Mark Barden to attend the Tuesday evening event.

The President, however, gave only passing reference to gun violence, focusing instead on broader issues and looking forward into America’s future. Nonetheless, Senator Murphy, Governor Dannel Malloy, Representative Elizabeth Esty, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Mr Barden found that his words got to “the heart of the issue,” as Mr Barden said, that of division within the government that prevents forward movement.

“Tonight, President Obama gave an exceptional and unique speech, talking straight to the American public, asking them to take charge of raising the debate above the partisanship and rancor that defines much of politics today. And he reminded America that government isn’t always the enemy — that it operates best when it sets the rules of the game so that the rich and powerful don’t run away with all the spoils. He stood up for the American values that make us the envy of the world, and I hope both members of Congress and voters themselves take it to heart,” Sen Murphy said in a statement released late Tuesday night.

He went on to state, “I believe tonight’s speech was a needed reminder of why we all feel fortunate to be Americans. We heard that the state of our union is strong, and with a little work, we can make it even stronger. I was honored to be joined tonight by my friend, Mark Barden. His presence tonight, and the visual of an empty chair between the First Lady and Governor Malloy, were stark reminders of the work ahead of us to make our union stronger and safer for everyone.”

President Obama had requested that an empty chair be left in the First Lady’s box during his speech, to honor those lives lost to gun violence. Last week, the President put forth in a speech executive actions that are meant to address the issue of gun violence plaguing America.

Gov Malloy, who said the honor of being invited to attend the Address was “humbling,” said, “I am proud to stand with the President tonight because our state has an amazing story to tell over the past several years. The things happening in Connecticut — our efforts to prevent gun violence, to raise the minimum wage, to be the first state to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 and pass paid sick days, to sweeping criminal justice reforms — are being recognized. We are acting when other states are not, and we are on the cutting edge of emerging policy trends. We have embraced much of President Obama’s agenda — and we have been successful as a result.”

“The President also challenged Congress to take action on gun violence prevention legislation and to prevent opioid addiction,” Rep Esty said in a press release, also received Tuesday night. “I have repeatedly called on my colleagues to have this debate since the tragedy at Sandy Hook, as we have not had a single vote on the issue. Partisanship cannot be an excuse for inaction in Congress and it is time we answer the call to honor with action those we have lost due to senseless gun violence.”

Sen Blumenthal also addressed the discordant government in his post-speech release, saying, “Washington again has an opportunity to put aside bitter partisanship and work across the aisle to confront the challenges we face together. The American people deserve nothing less.”

For Mr Barden, whose son, Daniel, was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, attending the event was an honor and thrilling, he said on Wednesday morning, January 13.

“I was surprised to not hear more about gun violence,” in the President’s speech, he admitted. However, he said that as he listened, he realized that President Obama was speaking to “the heart of what is creating gridlock [in Congress]. He laid it out there — that he wants to pull issues out of the partisan logjam.”

The President is looking at the issue long range, Mr Barden said, a tactic with which he and Sandy Hook Promise agree.

“Sandy Hook Promise is looking through the long lens. It’s exactly what we do,” he said.

Looking to the future, he said that the President proposed “lifting us out of partisan politics, so that we can come together as a nation. I take this as a call to action.” Mr Barden added that his hope was that elected officials would now reflect the will of the people.

A pre-speech dinner gave Mr Barden the opportunity to engage with members of the Senate in an informal atmosphere.

“I had lots of encouraging, inspirational comments from a lot of folks,” he said, allowing him to do one thing that is important to him: put a human face to tragedy.

Seated in the gallery, across the way from First Lady Michelle Obama during the Address, Mr Barden looked directly at the empty chair, as well. It was a chilling sight, he said.

“It achieved its intended purpose, for me. It was a stark reminder,” Mr Barden said. “I have to look at that empty chair in my own house, every day.”

It is his life’s work, Mr Barden said, and that of Sandy Hook Promise, to try to bring down the number of empty chairs. “That’s what it’s all about for me now,” he said.