Politics & Government

Newtown Victim's Daughter Questions Ayotte on Gun Vote

Erica Lafferty appeared at the senator's town hall meeting, amid a mix of gun safety advocates and gun rights supporters.

The daughter of murdered Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Dawn Hochsprung challenged U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) Tuesday on her recent vote against a gun background checks bill, the Huffington Post and NBC News report.

Erica Lafferty, appearing at Ayotte's town hall-style meeting in Warren, N.H., asked:

"You had mentioned that day you voted, owners of gun stores that the expanded background checks would harm. I am just wondering why the burden of my mother being gunned down in the halls of her elementary school isn't more important than that."

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

NBC News reported that Lafferty stormed out of the meeting after the exchange. According to the NBC News report, Ayotte defended her vote against the expanded background checks for gun purchases during the event and, when addressing Lafferty, she said she was sorry for her loss.

Ayotte has called for better prosecution of gun crimes and better mental health as part of the solution. She reiterated that during the exchange with Lafferty.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The background checks vote has sent her public opinion ratings southerly, according to Nashua Patch. A Public Policy Polling survey after the vote indicated a 15-point drop for Ayotte.


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