Newtown father heckled by gun rights activists

A father who lost his young son in the Newtown massacre was heckled at a meeting in Hartford, Conn., when he participated in a discussion on gun control. We're taking a closer look at this interesting story from the Current community. Check it out and add your two cents:

Father of Newtown victim heckled at hearing

Submitted by letsliveinpeace

While holding a photo of his 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, Neil Heslin asked for changes to the state's approach to assault-style weapons at the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group. During his heartfelt plea to Connecticut lawmakers for changes, gun enthusiasts shouted "The Second Amendment!" to the Newtown father.

"There are a lot of things that should be changed to prevent what happened," said Heslin, who said he grew up using guns and was undisturbed by the interruption of his testimony.

"That wasn't just a killing, it was a massacre," said Heslin, who recalled dropping off his son at Sandy Hook Elementary school shortly before Lanza opened fire. "I just hope some good can come out of this."

Tune in to Current TV starting at 6E/3P for more on the Newtown father being heckled.

The community responds to the hecklers:

northernexpat: "How much lower can these unreasonable gun lovers go? How disgusting to heckle a father who lost his child to gun violence. I don't care what your beliefs are, you are showing how despicable you are to do something like this. Shame, shame, shame!"

youngdebater: "If you believe whatever the NRA says, that's your belief. If you oppose what the NRA says, that's your belief. But to heckle someone who's son has died because of a person with a mental illness, that's inhumane."

Hardytoo: "Human decency and sensitivity to another's pain - which separates us from many other, higher-ordered, animal species - is the order of the day. Gladly, this mourning, grieving father was numb to their idiocy."

EdJoyProductions: "I do not completely disagree with the NRA on some aspects of their view but I can not agree with them when they refuse to bend about some regulations and specific weapon bans. However, I lose all sympathy for their opinion when some of their yahoos see fit to heckle the father of a murdered baby. Anyone that shouted at this man should never be allowed to have a gun. If they can not show respect enough to restrain themselves in the face of such personal tragedy, I do not think they should be armed."

Join the discussion -- or head over to the Community page for more popular stories from the community.

(Photo: Getty Images)