The explicit reference to recent events in Connecticut is just there to grab your attention.
But consider this. The NRA would really like to block any gun safety legislation. The filibuster is one tool for doing so.
Will the NRA do some intense lobbying behind the scenes to ensure that the filibuster remains a tool for their agenda? It won't be hard for them to get the votes of Senate Republicans. What about Senate Democrats? Will Harry Reid lose votes from Democrats who feel vulnerable to pressure from the NRA to preserve the filibuster as a tool to block anti-gun legislation without exposing politicians to up-and-down votes?
If exploited correctly, there is some legislative synergy here. On the one hand, we can threaten to pain anyone who blocks filibuster reform as a secret, or sometimes not-so-secret, tool of the NRA. At the same time, we can pressure anyone seen as pro-gun to show their independence from the NRA by voting for filibuster reform. However, to do so requires the mindset of being wiling to politicize tragedy and some people are reluctant to travel down that path.
There is more to gain by being pro-active and setting this as a narrative before January rather than relying on it as an explanation after the fact if filibuster reform and/or liberal gun legislation are defeated. Is anyone willing to follow this strategy?