26 Cyclists Ride From Newtown To DC For Gun Control

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Cycling with a cause. Right now, 26 people are traveling on bicycles from Baltimore City Hall to Washington DC, where they'll plead their case for stricter guidelines.

Marcus Washington explains their mission.

That trip started in Newtown where the horrific Sandy Hook school shooting took place more than two years ago. The final stop is the US Capitol.

In a group of 26, they pedal each mile with a mission in mind.

"Press for stronger gun safety laws," said one of the cyclists.

For 400 miles, Team 26 cycles from Newtown to DC. This mission began after the Sandy Hook school shooting on December 14, 2012. Twenty-six children and adults were killed that day.

"I hope it energizes people to go out and talk to their legislators," said a cyclist.

Team 26 wants legislators to tighten up the ways people get guns by making all handgun purchasers first earn a license from state police after safety training; requiring fingerprint-based background checks, ban military-style assault weapons and making gun trafficking a federal crime.

The man responsible for the shooting was known to have mental health issues so another request is to strengthen the ownership restriction for people with severe mental illness.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she supports Team 26.

"It's so important that Team 26 is doing what they're doing," she said.

The Sandy Hook shooting is the deadliest mass shooting at grade school or high school in the United States.