Oh just heard it on news, they are talking about changung the gun laws, how come it takes kids to die before they change the law which is obvious anyway, but no, those who want to own a gun and feel the power who don't want it to change would rather be selfish and ridged than recognize that 20 little children have been shot, probably they were so scared, perhaps they didn't die straight away, maybe they were in incredible pain,

Oh how I hope with all my being that America changes its law now and gets to change things! UK can do it, so can everyone else

My heart is breaking, and I cry every time I see an update. I'm terrified, too, because it can happen at any school. It's not like this was a stranger, or the school was negligent or anything. They knew this guy - he was a familiar face around the school, and his mother taught there. So really, any familiar face can go into our schools, with nobody being the wiser about their angst or violent agenda, and do this.
I was Christmas shopping for my kids when I heard the news. I just stopped in the store and cried. Imagine the parents of those children who were also out shopping for their kids' gifts. I can't even comprehend getting through Christmas with a tragedy like this. And the children who witnessed it all? I'm afraid some of them may be forever broken.

There are no words. Those poor people and their kids. Such a shame.
I'm afraid this is a copycat----it is of course getting lots of media attention. Is that good or may it inspire some other crazy person to try and repeat this nightmare??!!
So many people have so many guns. It's so easy to get a hold of one whether it is legal to have one or not. I'm thinking anyone who wants a gun badly enough will get one one way or another. The last AR-!5 that was used was stolen. It seems to me that if they ban guns from people now, the only ones that will be able to get them are the ones who will get them illegally. Don't bash me, it's just a thought.

In the UK they banned guns and destroy the guns they find, people even handed in their guns to be destroyed, less guns means harder to get them, right now it's so easier to get them, it's not even hard at all, less guns, less guns to steal, gun crime will fall,

This is a very sad thing. My heart goes out to the families, friends, and community having to go through this.

Americans will never give up their guns. No offense, but it's kinda funny a Brit is encouraging that.

Unfortunately, this guy, or anyone bent on violence and destruction, could have just as easily gone off with a machete, as happens often in Asia when schools are targetted, or a flame thrower, or many deadly implements.

For a young man to kill his family, and then attack children, makes me be led to believe that there was a lot of abuse of him going on, and for a looonnnggg time.

Humans have to address the root causes of these things, not just use them as an excuse for "gun control". I am against the legality of semi- autos myself, but there are too many who just will NOT give up their guns.

Those poor lil' children...RIP and {{hugs}}

Why is it funny that a Brit would say that????????????

I have always believed that the Universe can create great beauty from a tragedy. (It's happened to me...) So...I am hoping that the great beauty that arises from the ashes of this tragedy, is that finally a cry so loud it cannot be ignored is raised, and that it cannot be ignored, and that it lasts until something is done here to stop this carnage.

Pray with me....

BTW, the guns were legal, owned by his mother. Who was shot in the face, and was unrecognizable for hours.

Violence begets violence. Guns have no purpose but violence.

Ilene...I am sorry for this hitting home to you. I was a CT resident for a long time up til 3 years ago. I lived very close to this community.

What a wonderful community Newtown is. I cannot believe what these poor families are going thru.

The gun control laws in Ct. are pretty strict. Keep in mind these guns were totally legal and registered to his Mother. One has to wonder why she had these guns. Was she frightened of her son? Why have 3 weapons in your home?

I am not pro-weapons...but when they have gun control tightened the only people who will have weapons are the criminals. They don't go thru the channels a moral citizen would.

Beaten, I was thinking the same thing. Why would a woman own three guns like that? She must have been fearful of someone.

The simple fact is that lower gun ownership correlates with lower homicide rates. Also, of the 61 mass shootings in the US in the last 30 years, 59 were committed with legally obtained weapons. And yes, someone could go to a school with a knife or a machete instead. Someone DID go to a school in China (where they have gun control) with a knife and attacked 22 children. None of whom died.

This is a terrible, terrible tragedy. One of almost unimaginable proportions. And to say "oh well, if we reduce access to the tools of mass murder, someone might still commit mass wounding or might find a way to get the weaponry illegally" is to say it really doesn't matter. It DOES matter.

I most certainly agree that the underlying causes need a great deal more attention too - mental health issues, domestic violence, bullying and other abuses. But in the meantime, why not at least make it a bit harder for someone with those issues to obtain the tools of mass murder? Probably because I'm not American, and therefore don't understand the gun culture there, it just seems like a no brainer to me.

That said, I also get the point that AS a non-American, I have no right to call on that country to change its laws. I can, however, be glad that my country did change its laws - the first time we had a shooting where the deaths reached double figures. That was in 1996 (35 people died). There had been 6 mass killings (all by shooting) in the previous 10 years. There have been 2 mass killings, one by shooting (the other by lighting a fire in a backpacker hostel) since. In the shooting one, 2 people were killed. Those are the facts here. Of course, those facts can't prove that gun control has saved lives, but if there is even a CHANCE that lives have been saved (and it appears they probably have), then it's worth doing in my view.

It will never be possible to remove all guns from society. It will never be possible to stamp out all murders. But focussing on both the causes and the tools will go a long way toward preventing such an unfathomable tragedy as occurred in Newtown.

After hearing about this terrible tragedy, I thought that this had something to do with domestic violence. Society usually associates domestic violence only within the confines of a ''couple''. Sadly, d.v. also pretains to violence between family members as well. I cannot wrap my head around this, I have been crying all day. I always think of how could this of been prevented? I am really scared as to what is happening with people in our world today. I am 57 years old, and I never remember the world being so full of hate as it is now. My heart and prayers goes out the innocent, sweet babies, their families, and the families of the adults that were killed as well.God help us all.

Wow...I am currently taking some time to formally mourn this unspeakable act of evil. Hours later, I still have a strong urge to throw up.
My aunt lives in the town next door and I live 40 minutes away. I'm waiting to hear about a former coworker of mine who lives in Newtown and has a young son who is kindergarten-aged.
Earlier this year, I was driving through Sandy Hook and was struck by how perfectly picturesque it was. The houses were quaint and the streets were dotted with cute little shops. Then I remembered hearing how people would fight to buy homes in this area because it had one of the best school systems in the state. It only goes to show how this brand of madness seems most likely to happen in the most unlikely places. News reports are now detailing how the shooter attended the local high school and probably that same elementary school as a child.
More than any political debate, I am deeply saddened for the families affected. My mind is running in circles, wondering: Are there presents under the Christmas tree for the departed ones? How are their parents going to cope moving forward? How are their siblings going to feel growing up? How are their surviving classmates going to deal with this tremendous trauma as they become adults and even parents themselves?
Just the thought of people having to go back to school - back into *that* building is beyond my abilities to even imagine! I'm also blown away by the bravery of teachers, the composure of these young students and the compassion from all parts of the world.
My uncle called our family from Jamaica to see if we were okay. It seemed a little weird at first because, from our physical location, Sandy Hook is a few towns away, but from his standpoint, it seemed like it was the house next door. In many ways, it is. (My uncle also called us when Hurricane Sandy hit, so I guess Sandy and Connecticut are already two words that automatically cause concern in his mind.)
The one thing I am hoping for this holiday season is that people can put aside the rabid commercialism, the family drama, the social competitions and the relational stress. That myself and people everywhere can take and *make* time to be at peace with one another, count our blessings, appreciate children for the walking miracles that they actually are and celebrate life.

Living I thought the exact same thing, it ain't rocket science!

Trouble is its just politics

And btw, being a "BRIT" it don't make me a fool, like living said its a no brainier!

Being ridged changes nothing!

LIv, Kaz, I am an American, and even though I thought I understood the gun culture, and always believed in our 2nd amendment rights, in the face of this unspeakable evil, in which guns were used...

I don't get it either. Not any more. When it comes to the safety of our children, vs the right to own a gun....I mean, come on. Is there really any thought needed?

And the issue would be "control". Not banning the ownership of guns. But controlling the ownership of them. People here own guns, they just do....my son's recent gf's father carried one all the time. For what? I have no idea. Just to feel powerful, to fill some hole he had that he was powerless? When they broke up...we were afraid of him.

It's time, it's really really time, to do something meaningful. I hope that will be the legacy, that no more children will die.