Skip to main content

Sandy Hook One Year Later

The 'Cute Little School'

It's been a year (December 14, 2012) since Adam Lanza killed 20 first-graders and six adults at the Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.

Lanza simply walked in, aimed at his target and started shooting, despite the school's security features outlined in reports.


President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama light candles
for Sandy Hook elementary school victims.
Since that particular school shooting, the Obama administration has openly shed a tear for the victims, legislated funds to help people with mental health issues, and has lobbied Congress in an attempt to change the current gun control laws, starting with increased background checks.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle celebrated the one-year anniversary with a candle-lighting memorial in the Map Room. Twenty-six candles, one for each Sandy Hook elementary school victim.

The pair then paused in a moment of silence lasting around sixty seconds.

The town of Sandy Hook is slowly getting back to business.  Students have returned to school, but the pain of last December still lingers.

We spoke in 2012 with current Newtown Connecticut mayor, Patricia Llodra, on why she thinks the Sandy Hook massacre was the most recent catalyst for Washington to act on gun violence. 




"I'm sorry we're in the world spotlight because of what put us there, but if there is any good that can come out of this, and there will be many,  [that would be a good thing]."

That one good thing would be tighter gun control laws, which she admits may be a tough sell to Congress. 

"I know we're not going to get the big ticket items, because the political forces are already weighing,.... but at very least we should get universal background checks, at the very minimum", Llodra told us.

Since the Newton shootings, the Senate took up a vote on comprehensive background checks which most Americans support.  The polls showed 90 percent of Americans in support, however the amendment failed 54 to 46, falling short of the 60-vote threshold needed to break a filibuster.   (Source)

To hear more of our interview click here.

We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
–Nelson Mandela
 
Related
Children's Defense Fund: We Can Do Better

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Story Behind Presidents' Day

Did you know Presidents' Day isn’t just about a day off?  Originally established to honor George Washington’s birthday, it has since grown to celebrate all U.S. presidents who’ve shaped the country’s path. It’s a day to reflect on leadership, service, and the values that drive national progress. Presidents' Day dates back to 1879, when it was first recognized as a federal holiday for Washington. Later, Abraham Lincoln’s February birthday brought attention. By 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act combined the days, creating the long weekend many know today—but its purpose goes far deeper. From decisions that forged independence to policies steering modern challenges, U.S. presidents have helped shape history. It's a moment to appreciate lessons in courage, responsibility, and the impact of strong leadership on society today. How do you celebrate Presidents' Day?  Is it by learning about the leaders who influenced American history? Do you read their biographies, visit ...

Government job loss under the Trump administration, since 2016. Are you at risk in 2025?

Under President Trump's first term in office, America experienced job declines. Data from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) suggests that the total number of federal employees decreased by approximately 1.3% from 2016 to 2020, resulting in a loss of approximately 18,000 government positions. This decline was achieved largely through attrition, as the administration emphasized not filling vacancies rather than implementing widespread layoffs.   Also: What about social security?  Trump has sad that he does not plan to change social security, however, one case shows how a senior experienced   difficulty getting their due benefits .  Job Losses in Government Agencies since 2016. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA faced significant cuts under the Trump administration, with staffing levels dropping from approximately 15,000 employees in 2016 to about 14,000 by 2020 citing budget cuts and decreasing regulatory enforcement practices.  Department of Ed...