Newtown

Connecticut politicians reacted strong to the failure by the U.S. Senate to pass even a watered-down effort to expand federal background checks for gun purchases in response to the Newtown school massacre.

House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, used just three words to describe his reaction: "Disappointment. Colossal disappointment."

Rep. Cathy Abercrombie, whose hurried walk past the parents of children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School was captured in a 60 Minutes segment Sunday night, issued an apology Monday, saying she didn't realize who the parents were.

"I would like to apologize to each of the Sandy Hook parents for rushing past them at the State Capitol last week," Abercrombie's statement said. "They have been through so much pain already and this surely didn't help. I didn't realize who they were at the time."

With tighter and more restrictive gun laws going into effect, as many as a dozen legislators contacted the State Capitol Police because they were concerned for their safety.

Sen. Edward Meyer, D-Guilford, said he "received several threats," but he did not want to share the specifics.

Rep. Roberta Willis, D-Salisbury, said she also received several threatening emails, at least one from someone she considered a friend.