Moment of silence marks week since Newtown tragedy

Officials (including Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy) observe a moment of silence on the steps of Edmond Town Hall in Newtown, Conn., as bells ring 26 times on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 - marking one week since the deadly mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. / AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Last Updated 9:42 a.m. ET

NEWTOWN, Conn. The tolling of church bells reverberated throughout Newtown on Friday, commemorating one week since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

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Newtown moment of silence

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Funerals and tributes for Newtown victims

At 9:30 a.m. local time this morning - exactly a week since Adam Lanza entered the school - bell towers across Connecticut chimed 26 times to honor each of the victims.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy gathered with other officials on the steps of the town hall as bells rang in memory of each life lost at the school. The gunman, Adam Lanza, also killed his mother before the massacre, and himself afterward.

The White House has said President Barack Obama will privately observe the moment of silence.

Just before, the president sent out via Twitter via message: "20 beautiful children & 6 remarkable adults. Together, we will carry on & make our country worthy of their memory."

Newtown and environs weathered a fourth day of funerals Thursday as mourners laid to rest Catherine Hubbard, Benjamin Wheeler, Jesse Lewis and Allison Wyatt, all 6 years old; and Grace McDonnell, 7.

A service was held in Katonah, N.Y., for teacher Anne Marie Murphy, 52, who authorities believe helped shield some of her students from the rain of bullets. Roman Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan compared her to Jesus.

"Like Jesus, Annie laid down her life for her friends," Dolan said. "Like Jesus, Annie's life and death brings light, truth, goodness and love to a world often shrouded in darkness, evil, selfishness and death."

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Victims of Conn. school shooting

A bell tolled Thursday at Newtown's St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church at the funeral for Catherine, who her family said would be remembered for her passion for animals and her constant smile.

Trinity Episcopal church on Main Street was filled to capacity for the funeral for Benjamin, described as a budding musician and Beatles fan. His service included a rendition of "Here Comes The Sun." About two dozen Boy Scout leaders lined the front pathway to the church in honor of the former Cub Scout.

In downtown Danbury, mourners filed into the ornate white-pillared First Congregational Church for a memorial service for 30-year-old teacher Lauren Rousseau. Friends wept at the altar as they remembered the spirited, hardworking, sunny-natured woman who brightened their lives with silliness and gave them all nicknames.

• More funerals held for victims of Newtown shooting
• Memorial service held for Conn. gunman's mother
• Kids resilient when coping with trauma, experts say

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was one of the people to visit Newtown on Thursday, stopping by a firehouse.

The Obama administration will push to tighten gun laws in response to the shooting, Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday, and Speaker John Boehner said the GOP-controlled House would consider the proposals.

Biden, who is overseeing the administration's response to Friday's shooting, said he and Obama are "absolutely committed" to curbing gun violence in the United States.

"Even if we can only save one life, we have to take action," he said.

Gun-control measures have faced fierce resistance in Congress for years, but that may be changing because of the events in Connecticut, which shocked the nation.

After the shooting, Mr. Obama signaled for the first time that he's willing to spend significant political capital on the issue. Some prominent gun-rights advocates on Capitol Hill — Democrats and Republicans alike — have expressed willingness to consider new measures.

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[bob98999]

im sorry for their loss and the whole country grieves, but some news that was censored by the U.S. Goverment that didnt hit the U.S. airwaves is that a cruise missle has killed 50 Pakistons children about 5 days ago, who grieves for them

[BFEcountrybumpkin]

To everyone,
What occurred was horrific beyond explanation. When I was growing up (1995 was my graduation year) we NEVER had worries about some deranged lunatic entering our school & shooting kids. (Thank god!)I do not pretend to know what is wrong with people these days. Any thought about killing innocent children who had absolutely nothing to do with the so called motives of the killer, is DEPRAVED. What does killing children prove?? Nothing that I can see. Except that the killer was a self centered moron too weak to seek help or simply work his anger off physically (like chopping wood or running 20 miles)Something, anything, that would burn a ton of energy.
Anyway, my point is, Guns do not kill people. PEOPLE kill people. I do not believe that new gun regulations will stop ANY crazy, depraved person from committing an act of horrific violence. However, I do believe that tighter gun restrictions (such as an in depth psychoanalysis of EVERY person wanting to purchase a firearm & a longer wait period of such) would have an impact on these thoughtless crimes.
I do not think we should take away an individuals right to bear arms. But I do believe that individuals need to prove that they are ready for and are able to handle the responsibility that goes along with that right.

[loveoflife]

This is a horrific and horrible thin that has happened in Newtown, CT. It should never have happened to Young children or teachers, to no One.

This type of shooting has happened to many times and it needs to Stop to people all over the USA.

I just wanted to say, May The Man Upstairs Bless all of these Young fallen Angels, and the teahers.
To honor them Light a candle, have your own Moment of Silence.

May all of you be blessed. This little fallen Angels will always be on your shoulder & in your heart. It is called the Dove of Peace.

Bless all

Peace

LoveofLife

[mountainstates1]

While America is mourning the loss of these poor souls, the NRA decides to give a pro-gun speech on the week anniversary of this terrible event. Shame the hell on the NRA!

[JV1970]

You should withold judgement until you hear what's in their speech.

[Track9]

It seems their guns are more important to them than the lives of children and others who are shot daily across this land of ours. Isn't it time to make the right choice ?

[MommyTeacher]

God bless the souls of all of those little angels and amazingly courageous adults. God keep our children safe <3

[MommyTeacher]

Someone who would advocate for a gun in a classroom has issues of their own. Let's not add sniper to the list of responsibilities of a teacher. We are already educators, therapists, parents, friends, disciplinarians, role-models, etc. Increase APPROPRIATE security in schools. As in trained security, like police officers. Give us a means for ESCAPe in the buuilding rather than being left to wait like sitting ducks hoping the police arrive before the shooter gets to your room. Do not ever put a gun in a classroom. Ever.

[JV1970]

I'll agree that I don't think guns should be in the class rooms where small children are taught. A little child doesn't know any better than to pick a gun up and play with it. If their teachers bring a gun into their classroom there's a chance a child could get it and accidentally shoot a classmate or their teacher.

However, I have a different opinion about guns on a college campus. I think college students should be allowed to have them as long as they've passed a background check and have had proper training in the handling of a firearm.

College girls especially need them if they're going to be walking alone on campus at night.

[MommyTeacher]

Someone who would advocate for a gun in a classroom has issues of their own. Let's not add sniper to the list of responsibilities of a teacher. We are already educators, therapists, parents, friends, disciplinarians, role-models, etc. Increase APPROPRIATE security in schools. As in trained security, like police officers. Give us a means for ESCAPe in the buuilding rather than being left to wait like sitting ducks hoping the police arrive before the shooter gets to your room. Do not ever put a gun in a classroom. Ever.

[harv823]

The NRA exists to assure that there are no limits placed on gun manufacturers. Those who say to arm teachers ,etc. are only advocating more gun sales which would mean more profits for the gun manufacturers.

[john92021]

there was an article in the paper this morning that was about the marine standing guard at the school. Another fake nutjob. Was asked to leave.

[nancyqtoyou]

Please tell me why CBS Television had Gail King yapping on about nothing while the National Moment of Silence was not acknowledged on your network?

Do you need commercial dollars that badly. You have lost a lot of credence in your moral support of this country. A National Moment of Silence does not occur every day. Please explain.

[Someone_You_Know_Too]

Dear Reader,

Moment of silence, My A**

As Dylan Thomas once wrote "Do not go gentle into that good night" We need to scream, kick, shout, and fight back against the thieves, rapists, and murders that take our daughters', sons', sisters', brothers', mothers, and fathers' lives.

We need to remember the adults did not have an effective means to resist the gunman because they worked in a "Gun-Free" zone.

Sincerely, Someone You Know, Too