Gun Control Petitions Flood White House Website In Wake Of Newtown School Shooting

: Petitioners Flood White House Website After Shooting
ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 11: U.S. President Barack Obama spaeks after a wreath-laying ceremony on Veteran's Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - NOVEMBER 11: U.S. President Barack Obama spaeks after a wreath-laying ceremony on Veteran's Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

Petitioners took to the White House website en masse on Friday, telling President Barack Obama that now -- hours after a gunman opened fire on elementary and kindergarten students at a school in Newtown, Conn. -- was exactly the time to talk about gun control.

"Today IS the day," began a petition submitted by Chris C. of Joshua Tree, Calif., through the White House's "We the People" platform. It went on to express "disagreement" with White House Press Secretary Jay Carney's suggestion earlier Friday that it was not the day to engage in a policy debate over gun control measures.

"Immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress," read another, which quickly surged past the 25,000 signatures for a White House response.

A blog at the San Francisco Chronicle reported that at least six petitions regarding gun control had been submitted in the wake of the massacre.

An emotional Obama gave brief remarks on the incident on Friday, making no direct mention of gun control but giving a broad call for "meaningful action."

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a staunch gun control advocate, responded to Obama, calling on him to immediately put forth gun control legislation.

"President Obama rightly sent his heartfelt condolences to the families," Bloomberg said. "But the country needs him to send a bill to Congress. Calling for ‘meaningful action’ is not enough. We need immediate action."

The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School left at least 26 dead, 20 of them children. Click over our liveblog for minute-by-minute updates on the incident.

Before You Go

December 14, 2012 -- Newtown, Conn. -- 27 dead (including gunman)

Five Years, 19 Mass Shootings, No Action

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