A candlelight vigil was held in Raleigh. More than 100 candles were used to represent how many days it has been since the school massacre where so many young children died.
The keynote speaker at the gathering was someone who witnessed similar devastation. She survived another school shooting.
"Every time there's a new shooting, those memories come flooding back," said Kim Erickson Yaman.
Yaman was at the University of Iowa in 1991. She was inside a building with her daughters when a disgruntle graduate walked in and shot five people before killing himself.
Now, years later, she has a message.
"We can do better and we will do better," said Yaman.
Yaman and many others are calling for a stronger background check system.
"The only thing that's changed after all the discussions, the angst, and the funerals and the hospital is that I'm not training my grandchildren how to behave and act in shooter lock-down drills in their schools," said Yaman.
The gathering was met by a trio of protestors.
"I think what they're asking for is ridiculous," said Garner resident Sean Sorrentino.
They feel their overall right to bear arms is under fire unjustifiably.
"You deserve the ability, just like an insurance policy," said Chatham County resident Bob Murdock. "You don't expect to have to use it, but I think they should have the means."
Organizers say they too want insurance and protection.
"We've done all kinds of amazing things and gone through some very hurtful traumatic tragedies in this country," said Yaman. "We can come up with a sensible solution."
The vigil was held as two bills have been introduced here in North Carolina. One would privatize gun owner's information. The other bill, filed in the State House, is a bipartisan measure to pay for more officers in schools across the state.
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