close
Blogtrottr
CNN.com - Top Stories
CNN.com delivers up-to-the-minute news and information on the latest top stories, weather, entertainment, politics and more. // via fulltextrssfeed.com
Obama to lay out what he wants done on guns
Dec 19th 2012, 15:12

  • Obama is not expected to lay out specific policy decisions
  • Three students and a teacher will be buried on Wednesday
  • A bill in South Carolina would allow teachers to be armed in school
  • New Jersey gun owner: "Let's get rid of the guns. Let it start with mine."

Watch CNN's LIVE TV coverage of the Connecticut elementary school shooting as the story continues to unfold. People are sharing their concern and sadness about the Newtown school shooting. What are your thoughts? Share them with CNN iReport.

(CNN) -- With the shock and horror from Newtown giving way to anger and calls for action, President Barack Obama will announce his first concrete steps Wednesday in addressing the raging debate about gun policy.

Obama is expected to announce that Vice President Joe Biden will lead an inter-agency process to develop policy in the wake of the Connecticut elementary school massacre.

White House aides say Obama won't announce major policy decisions Wednesday, but will outline his administration's path forward.

"These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change," Obama told a packed auditorium at Newtown High School on Sunday.

Pallbearers carry out James Mattioli's casket at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church after a funeral Mass on Tuesday, December 18, in Newtown, Connecticut. James, 6, was one of the 26 victims in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. As more funerals are scheduled this week, investigators in Connecticut work to piece together what happened in the massacre. Pallbearers carry out James Mattioli's casket at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church after a funeral Mass on Tuesday, December 18, in Newtown, Connecticut. James, 6, was one of the 26 victims in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. As more funerals are scheduled this week, investigators in Connecticut work to piece together what happened in the massacre.
Mourners console each other after the funeral for James Mattioli on December 18.Mourners console each other after the funeral for James Mattioli on December 18.
People arrive for the funeral of Jessica Rekos, 6, at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown on December 18. People arrive for the funeral of Jessica Rekos, 6, at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Newtown on December 18.
Jessica Rekos' casket arrives at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church as mourners gather December 18.Jessica Rekos' casket arrives at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church as mourners gather December 18.
Mourners leave Honan Funeral Home after attending the funeral for Jack Pinto, 6, on Monday, December 17, in Newtown. Mourners leave Honan Funeral Home after attending the funeral for Jack Pinto, 6, on Monday, December 17, in Newtown.
Mourners console each other after attending the funeral for Jack Pinto, 6, on December 17.Mourners console each other after attending the funeral for Jack Pinto, 6, on December 17.
Mourners grieve the death of Jack Pinto, 6, on December 17.Mourners grieve the death of Jack Pinto, 6, on December 17.
A mother and two children attend the funeral for Jack Pinto on December 17. Children are among those crowding the funeral for the 6-year-old boy.A mother and two children attend the funeral for Jack Pinto on December 17. Children are among those crowding the funeral for the 6-year-old boy.
A man comforts a young mourner at Honan Funeral Home while attending the funeral for Jack Pinto, 6, on December 17.A man comforts a young mourner at Honan Funeral Home while attending the funeral for Jack Pinto, 6, on December 17.
Boys enter Honan Funeral Home before Jack Pinto's funeral on December 17 in Newtown.Boys enter Honan Funeral Home before Jack Pinto's funeral on December 17 in Newtown.
People walk to Honan Funeral Home before the funeral for 6-year-old Jack Pinto on December 17 in Newtown, Connecticut.People walk to Honan Funeral Home before the funeral for 6-year-old Jack Pinto on December 17 in Newtown, Connecticut.
Veronika Pozner, mother of Noah Pozner, arrives for her son's funeral on Monday, December 17, at the Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home in Fairfield, Connecticut. Monday is the first day of funerals for the 20 children and seven adults who were killed by 20-year-old Adam Lanza on December 14.Veronika Pozner, mother of Noah Pozner, arrives for her son's funeral on Monday, December 17, at the Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home in Fairfield, Connecticut. Monday is the first day of funerals for the 20 children and seven adults who were killed by 20-year-old Adam Lanza on December 14.
Three women embrace as they arrive for the funeral services for Noah Pozner on December 17.Three women embrace as they arrive for the funeral services for Noah Pozner on December 17.
People arrive at the funeral home ahead of Noah Pozner's service on December 17.People arrive at the funeral home ahead of Noah Pozner's service on December 17.
Mourners arrive at Noah Pozner's service in Fairfield on December 17. Mourners arrive at Noah Pozner's service in Fairfield on December 17.
A Fairfield police officer puts his hand on the back of a woman as they arrive for Noah Pozner's service on December 17.A Fairfield police officer puts his hand on the back of a woman as they arrive for Noah Pozner's service on December 17.
Mourners leave Noah Pozner's service on December 17 in Fairfield.Mourners leave Noah Pozner's service on December 17 in Fairfield.
A florist delivers bouquets for Noah Pozner's funeral on December 17 in Fairfield.A florist delivers bouquets for Noah Pozner's funeral on December 17 in Fairfield.
A Fairfield police officer helps move floral arrangements following Noah Pozner's service on December 17 in Fairfield.A Fairfield police officer helps move floral arrangements following Noah Pozner's service on December 17 in Fairfield.
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown funerals: A community says goodbye
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Funerals: A community says goodbyeFunerals: A community says goodbye
Newtown students return to school
Gupta: 1 in 5 kids have mental illness

Meanwhile, the heartbreaking ritual of premature funerals continues. On Wednesday, several more students and a beloved teacher will be laid to rest.

They are among the 27 people killed when gunman Adam Lanza shot his mother four times in the head before shooting his way into into Sandy Hook Elementary, opening fire on staff and students no older than 7. Lanza then killed himself.

The question of what prompted the rampage continues to elude investigators.

So far, they have been unable to retrieve data from a computer in Lanza's home, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.

The gunman apparently smashed the computer and extensively damaged the hard drive, the official said, adding that the FBI is assisting Connecticut State Police.

Authorities have said the shooter took three of his mother's weapons -- two handguns and a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle -- to the elementary school.

The National Rifle Association commented Tuesday for the first time since the massacre, saying it was shocked and heartbroken by the tragedy. The group is planning to hold a news conference on Friday.

"Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting," it said. "The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."

Gun debate intensifies

While the NRA has been largely quiet, the national debate over guns is reaching a new high -- some calling for stricter control; others for more access.

Bill Mingin's gun lay under the floorboards of his attic for 40 years, he said in an iReport.

"I thought I needed it 'just in case,'" the New Jersey man said.

Sandy Hook teacher's father speaks
Victim's mom: 'I have a hole in my heart'
Vigil held for shooting victims
Cards and letters rest with Noah Pozner

But after the Newtown massacre, he thought of selling it -- but didn't want it ending up in "the hands of a bad person."

"So I smashed it with a sledge hammer, and threw it in the river. No one will ever be hurt with this deadly toy. Let's get rid of the guns. Let it start with mine."

Others say future tragedies can be avoided by arming teachers.

A bill introduced in the South Carolina legislature Tuesday would allow school employees with concealed weapons licenses to carry guns at schools. The bill would require those workers to be certified as marksmen and use only breakable bullets to avoid ricochets.

The debate has also sparked fierce dialogue at times.

Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America, said if more guns had been at Sandy Hook Elementary School, most victims would be alive.

"Since we have concealed carry laws in all of our country now, people can get a concealed firearm. And yet we have laws that say not in schools," Pratt said. "And so in the very places that have been sought out by monsters such as the murderer of these adults and children, we're saying, no, we don't want you to be able to defend yourself. It's better that you just sit there and wait to be killed. And we find that morally incomprehensible."

CNN's Piers Morgan questioned whether more guns are the answer in a country with more than 300 million non-military firearms. He also challenged Pratt on the issue of high-power assault rifles.

"Post what happened at Sandy Hook, your answer to this problem of repeated use of this weapon with these high-capacity magazines is to continue letting Americans buy them with impunity, and to not concern yourself with these mass shootings, is that right?" Morgan asked.

"The 2nd Amendment means what it says, and meanwhile, you want to continue laws against self-defense?" Pratt responded.

A long series of final goodbyes

Back in Newtown, bereaved family members will bury more loved ones.

Victoria "Vicki" Soto, a first-grade teacher who tried to shield her students from bullets, will be laid to rest Wednesday.

"She would not hesitate to think to save anyone else before herself, and especially children," her mother Donna said. "She loved them more than life, and she would definitely put herself in front of them any day."

Soto, 27, wanted to be a teacher since she was 3 years old.

She "instinctively went into action, when a monster came into her classroom, and tried to protect the kids that she loved so much," cousin James Wiltsie said. "We just want the public to know that Vicki was a hero."

Seven-year-old Daniel Barden's "fearless" pursuit of happiness earned him ripped jeans, his family said.

Taking after his musician dad, Daniel formed a band with his brother and sister, playing the drums.

"He embodied everything that is wholesome and innocent in the world," Daniel's family said.

Caroline Previdi's relatives will also say their final goodbyes Wednesday.

Even after her death, 6-year-old Caroline continued to touch the lives of others. A Facebook page called "RIP Caroline Previdi -- Sandy Hook Massacre Victim" had more than 5,400 "likes" on Wednesday morning.

Charlotte Bacon was another 6-year-old whose life was cut far too short. Charlotte, a beaming bundle of energy under bright red curls, also will be buried Wednesday.

The black hearses with caskets will continue driving though Newtown for days to come.

CNN's Jessica Yellin, Dave Alsup, Susan Candiotti, Sandra Endo and Daphne Sashin contributed to this report.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com.

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed, or manage all your subscriptions
arrow
arrow
    全站熱搜

    rainbow6867 發表在 痞客邦 留言(0) 人氣()