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Police In Connecticut To Be Extra Vigilant After Orlando Nightclub Shooting

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Police in Connecticut say they're being extra vigilant after the shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando that left 49 victims dead.

New Haven police say they're paying close attention to public gatherings and LGBTQ venues. While there is no known threat of violence to New Haven or other Connecticut communities, police say they're "responding with an abundance of caution."

Gov. Dannel Malloy has ordered all flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting early Sunday.

Meanwhile, Connecticut Congressman Jim Himes said lawmakers have become complicit in these mass shootings and said he will no longer attend congressional moments of silence to honor those killed.

"Because they are exactly what they are, it is congress being silent, it is congress being impotent when it has within its power to very quickly reduce the amount of mayhem and death that is out there," he told WCBS 880's Fran Schneidau.

Himes noted that not long after the Newtown shootings, congress failed to pass a bill expanding background checks on gun buyers, even though he said it had the support of most Americans.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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