West Hartford, Conn. – The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, addressed a crowd of approximately 2,500 people gathered at the home of the Hartford Hawks, the Chase Family Arena at the Reich Family Pavilion on Monday afternoon.

The visit to the University of Hartford campus marks the first time a sitting president will visit the West Hartford Campus. Obama is scheduled to address members of the UHart community and invited guests of the White House on the topic of federal gun control following the tragic events of December 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Monday's address marks the second time a current or former President of the United States has used the Chase Family Arena as host site for a speaking event. William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd president, was the first to visit the University of Hartford, speaking to a crowd of approximately 2,000 in a democratic rally on October 31, 2010. Other celebrities who have visited the Sports Center include Bob Dylan, Christopher Reaves, Ludacris and Chris Rock.