Even for those without a direct connection to Newtown, Conn., the horrific act committed Friday morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School was heartbreaking for all Americans.
Twenty children, between 6- and 7-years-old, and six adults who were trying to protect them, were violently murdered. Many are still trying to wrap their heads around the senseless act in a school, which is supposed to be a safe environment. The shock, sympathy, anger, and disbelief the country felt was echoed in statements President Obama said during an afternoon address Friday.
At a vigil Sunday night, President Obama offered his condelences and said “the love and prayers of a nation” are with the families and community of Newtown, mourning all the victims who died Friday morning.
Can we truly say, as a nation, that we are meeting our obligations? Can we honestly say that we're doing enough to keep our children, all of them, safe from harm?... If we're honest with ourselves, the answer's no. We're not doing enough, and we will have to change… We can't tolerate this anymore, these tragedies must end and to end them we must change.
Friday’s horrific event was the fourth time in President Obama’s first term that he has visited grieving families and communities in the aftermath of a mass shooting, and he is calling for a change. Obama is not alone, top Democrats in the Senate have pledged to start the new year with tighter gun control legislation.