Gun control debate back in spotlight

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WPRI) -- While investigators continue searching for a motive of the gunman, Adam Lanza, officials said Sunday he had enough ammunition to kill every student in the school.

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According to investigators, Lanza had visited an area shooting range, although it is not clear if he actually practiced shooting there.

Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School has put the debate on gun control back in the national spotlight.

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With the horrors of Friday still fresh in the minds of Newtown residents, President Obama tried to offer comfort on Sunday.

In his speech, President Obama said we're not doing enough to prevent tragedies from happening.

Others like Teny Gross, the Executive Director of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence in Providence agreed.

"You can work with individuals to change their behaviors, but when you have just a flood of 300 million guns in private hands in the United States. We've got to work on both sides," said Gross.

Rhode Island Congressman Jim Langevin said it's an important time to look at preventing future tragedies, and that he wants to move forward with gun control legislation.

"I think we need to be serious about looking at our gun control laws in this country. I certainly respect the 2nd amendment people's rights to bear arms, but assault weapons have business on our streets anymore than an Army tank."

Meanwhile, Republican Louie Gohmert of Texas believes citizens would be safer with guns, especially in the case of the Sandy Hook's principal.

"I wish to God she had an M-4 in her office, locked up so when she heard gunfire she pulls it out and she didn't have to lunge heroically with nothing in her hands, but she takes him out," said Gohmert.

Langevin went on to say that he personally wants to work to bring back the assault weapons ban/