Gun control reform in WA, unlikely?

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Earlier this week, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio passed laws loosening restrictions on guns. That's the way gun laws have been trending recently.

The Connecticut mass shooting has gun control advocated locally and nationally calling for reform.

The medical examiner in Connecticut says gunman Adam Lanza killed all 26 of his victims with multiple rifle shots. All reports so far indicate Lanza's weapons were legally registered to his mother.

President Barack Obama hinted he believes the country should take action regarding gun control and Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins agrees the shooting will open up those talks.

But, with the Republicans controlling the House of Representatives opposing gun control, advocates see reform in Washington unlikely.

If gun control laws are to be passed following the Connecticut tragedy, they see it happening at the state level.

In his statement following the shooting, New York Governor, Democrat Andrew Cuomo touched on the issue saying:

"We as a society must unify once and for all and crack down on the guns that have cost the lives of far too many Americans."

"Let this terrible tragedy finally be the wake-up call for aggressive action and I pledge my full support in that effort."

In Buffalo, Democrat Mayor Byron Brown has long expressed his support of gun control. He says, "Hopefully, prayerfully out of this tragedy, something positive will happen to prevent this from happening again in the future."