Lawmakers Use Sandy Hook Anniversary to Push For Stronger Gun Laws

Advocates and elected officials gathered Thursday on the steps of New York City Hall to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook shootings while pushing for more gun law reform.

Joining New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and State Legislators Against Illegal Guns, the group used the event as a platform to renew a call for Congress and state governments across the country to act.

The Manhattan press conference was staged nearly one year since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., where 28 people, including gunman Adam Lanza, died on Dec. 14, 2012.

The group included Rep. Peter King (R-New York) and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck).

"The overwhelming majority of Americans want to see action, and we owe it to the victims and their families to prevent such tragedies from occurring again," said Rep. Peter King (R-New York) in a statement Thursday.

Less than five weeks after the Newtown tragedy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law the NY SAFE Act through bipartisan support in Albany. The legislation helps to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, bans assault weapons, limits high capacity magazines and increases the penalty for killing a first responder.

Speaking at the event, Schimel, the co-chair of State Legislators Against Illegal Guns, said more needs to be done at the federal level.    

“There is lots of talk in Washington, but no action," said Schimmel.

In April, a bipartisan Senate measure to expand background checks on commercial gun sales fell short of approval by six votes.