The Week in Words: Strike threat, fallout from Conn. shooting

"I've been around government and public policy a long time, and I can't think of another time when I had these same feelings. I don't really care if people criticize me for having emotions about this.

- Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), on changing his mind about opposing gun control.

"That wiped us out. As soon as they start talking about assault-weapons bans . . . they're going off the scale."

- Fred Delia, owner of a gun shop in Philadelphia, regarding surging sales of assault weapons after the shootings in Newtown, Conn.

"We have to get control of this."

- Larry Stone, board member, Dick's Sporting Goods Inc., on decision to suspend sales of semiautomatic weapons.

". . . Shocked, saddened, and heartbroken."

- Statement from the National Rifle Association regarding killings in Newtown, Conn.
"Trick out your AR (automatic rifle) at Cabela's."

- Heading on the website of the sporting and hunting company Cabela's, headquartered
in Nebraska.

"I wouldn't call it a seismic event, but, like a glacier, it has moved a couple of inches forward."

- Rep. Steve LaTourette (R., Ohio), describing the impact of the Newtown, Conn., shootings on a conversation of GOP House members.

"If the president has specific ideas in mind, we will listen. But right now, our focus should be on the victims, their families, and their friends."

- Michael Steel, spokesman for House Speaker John A. Boehner, regarding gun control.

"We are saying to our customers that if the ILA provides us work, we are going to go to work. Nonetheless, everyone is still nervous, because you come in to these strike situations and confusion abounds."

- Robert Palaima, president, Delaware River Stevedores, regarding possibility of a strike by dockworkers.