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Activists, Families Call For New Laws To Combat Gun Violence

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Activists and victims' families observed the one-year anniversary of the school shootings in Newtown, Conn., Saturday by meeting in the Back of the Yards park in which 13 people were shot in an assault rifle attack.

They said merely to remember is not enough, and said they were dedicating themselves to the passage of new laws to curb gun violence.

Activists, Families Call For New Laws To Combat Gun Violence

Shondra Robinson and others said they must work to change the law so background checks on gun buyers is universal, and those who should not have guns are barred from owning them.

"We will be back," she warned, her voice growing to a shout. "We won't stop. We will remember. We will not be silenced, and we will honor with action."

Slain cheerleader Hadiyah Pendleton's mother Cleo said that in 10 short months, she has realized that the hurt of losing her daughter will never go away. Hadiyah died weeks after she performed with her high school band at President Obama's second-term inauguration.

Pam Bosley said it is time that Congress listened to victims' families and enacted universal checks, event though it is too late for her family.

"It is the holiday season, and we're hurting," she said.

Stephanie Gordon of the group Moms Demand Action said gun control activists should pressure businesses.

"It is not okay to allow loaded weapons into your stores," she said. "It is not okay to sell weapons that are marketed to children. And it is not okay to sell assault weapons and 100-round magazine clips."

They received encouragement from U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), who was elected on a gun control platform and said she is "proud" to have been graded an "F" by the National Rifle Association.

"Do not give up the fight," she said. "Patience is a virtue."

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