U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal issued his first public statement on Saturday's shooting in Arizona, calling it an "assault on our democracy."
As he embarks on his first "listening tour" of the state as a U.S. Senator, Blumenthal also expressed his commitment to "being open an accessible to the people of Connecticut."
"First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers continue to be with Congresswoman Giffords, the other victims of this unspeakable tragedy, and their families," Blumenthal said. "This was an act of senseless, deranged violence that was not only an assault on those in Arizona, but an assault on our democracy.
"The hallmark of our democracy is the right of citizens to have access to their elected representatives without fear of violence or intimidation. As I begin a two week listening tour of the state, I remain committed to being open and accessible to the people of Connecticut as I always have been. The safety of my constituents and my staff remains my top priority, and I will work closely with law enforcement to ensure they are protected."