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Panel To Discuss Safety Changes In Connecticut After Newtown Massacre

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A panel was set to meet for the first time this week, after being ordered by Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to recommend possible changes to state laws and policies in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre.

The Sandy Hook Advisory Commission will convene Thursday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Hamden, Conn., Mayor Scott Jackson has been selected to head the 16-member group, which includes mental health and public safety experts.

Commission members have until March 15 to submit their initial report to Malloy.

Meanwhile, the school safety subcommittee of the General Assembly's Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety was holding a public hearing on Friday at the Legislative Office Building.

A hearing on gun safety is planned for Jan. 28. Another hearing on mental health issues is scheduled Jan. 29.

<a title="Malloy To Biden: Tighter Gun Control Is Needed" href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/13/malloy-to-biden-tighter-gun-control-is-needed/" Earlier this month, Malloy wrote to Biden that e wants to see the federal government reinstate a ban on assault weapons, and outlaw high-capacity ammunition magazines in the wake of the massacre.

In a letter obtained Sunday by The Associated Press, Malloy wrote to Biden on Friday that Congress also should require background checks for all firearm purchases, federal firearm licenses and gun show transactions.

Police say the Newtown gunman – Adam Lanza, 20 -- shot his mother to death at their home with a .22-caliber rifle before opening fire with a .223-caliber semiautomatic rifle at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Twenty children ages 6 and 7, and six adults, were killed. He fatally shot himself with a handgun as police arrived.

Do you agree with Gov. Malloy? Leave your comments below...

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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