No change in US gun laws a year after Sandy Hook massacre

Newtown massacre shocked the world Credit: REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Hundreds of Americans held a vigil for the victims of gun violence on the cusp of one-year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which left 20 children and 6 teachers dead.

But there has been no change in federal gun laws since the tragedy.

Almost two hundred children under the age of 13 have died in gun incidents in the past year.

ITV Washington Correspondent Robert Moore reports.

In the year since the Sandy Hook massacre, America's gun factories have never been busier. Purchases of semi-automatic weapons have soared 30% in the last 12 months.

And not only has there been no change in federal gun laws, but 16 states have actually relaxed gun laws.

Read: Little has changed since the Sandy Hook massacre

Gun rights activists say tougher gun laws would not prevent the massacre at Sandy Hook school.

"The only thing that would have stopped the tragedy at Newtown is by having an armed good guy," gun lobbyist Larry Wald said.

But many guests at the multi-faith service in National Cathedral said they are not giving up their fight against gun violence.

"We are here today with the common goal of remembering our loved ones and seeking to make our world a safer place. This is the the positive legacy that will come from our unimaginable loss," said Gilles Rousseau, father of Sandy Hook School shooting victim Lauren Rousseau.

Read: Americans hold vigil for victims of gun violence