MPAA Chief Chris Dodd: Hollywood Ready to Talk About Gun Violence

Motion Picture Association of America chairman-CEO Christopher Dodd on Thursday pledged Hollywood's support in being part of the "national conversation" on gun violence in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.

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"As chairman of the MPAA and on behalf of the motion picture and television studios we represent, we join all Americans in expressing our sympathy as well as our horror and outrage at this senseless act of violence," Dodd said.

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"Thus, I have reached out to the Administration to express our support for the President’s efforts in the wake of the Newtown tragedy. Those of us in the motion picture and television industry want to do our part to help America heal. We stand ready to be part of the national conversation."

Dodd represented Connecticut for more than three decades as a U.S. senator.

“As a citizen of Connecticut and having represented the people there for 36 years in Washington, I have been shocked and profoundly saddened by this tragedy," Dodd said. "My heart goes out to the community as I know they will carry this pain with them long after the spotlight on Newtown has dimmed."