Rahm Emanuel Gun Control; Chicago Mayor Talks Change in Concealed Weapon Laws

The tragedy of the Newtown, CT elementary school shooting sparked new interests by political figures to strengthen gun control laws.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel talked about change in gun laws on Saturday at a police ceremony.

"There is no parent and no grandparent in America that is not a resident to Sandy Hook, Conn.," Mayor Emanuel said at the dedication of a new police building, according to NBC News in Chicago. "There is nobody that had their child last night, that didn't hold them a little closer, pull them in a little tighter, didn't hug them a little more."

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"All of us are residents and citizens of Sandy Hook, Connecticut," said Mayor Emanuel, according to CBS. "And it is incumbent upon all of us to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher, no principal, no community faces what they faced."

The former White House chief of staff believes that change is coming and the current laws need adjusting to try and help prevent future gun related tragedies like the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy applauded Mayor Emanuel's effort and urgency.  Supt. McCarthy also suggested that the country change the firearm tracking system to make it easier for police to keep up with criminals.

"A national recognition that there has to be some sort of tracking, not even gun control accountability for gun owners," Supt. McCarthy said at the Saturday event. "It doesn't mean you can't have your gun, but there's a requirement to report the lost, theft, or transfer of a firearm."

The police superintendent added that while most of the guns in Chicago are purchased legally, many are transferred illegally within the state.

Last week the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the state of Illinois' ban on concealed carry weapons.

Many politicians in the state and in the country are pushing for change in the concealed carry of firearms with the hopes that violence will diminish.