( CNN ) -- They spoke with the passion that only those who have lost so much can speak . Six weeks since the Newtown , Connecticut , shooting claimed the lives of 20 elementary school kids and six educators , hundreds filled the local high school auditorium , nearly all raising their voices for tougher gun control laws before a state task force . For six hours , they poured out their hearts , their losses and their tears . `` We all recognize December 14 as the day hell came to Newtown , '' said Nicole Hockley , mother of 6-year-old Dylan , who was one of the children killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School . Dave Wheeler , who also lost his son Benjamin that day , calmly told the legislative panel that the government 's priorities need to be set straight . Read more : Loaded language poisons gun debate . `` The liberty of any person to own a military-style assault weapon and a high-capacity magazine and keep them in their home is second to the right of my son to his life , '' he said , noting that the Constitution says Americans are endowed with the inalienable rights of `` life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness . '' `` Let 's honor the founding documents and get our priorities straight , '' he concluded , to a standing ovation . Other parents called for the community to rally before the hearing , which focused on gun violence , mental health and school safety . `` Together we can turn this tragedy into the event that turned the tide . That empowered us , as individuals , a society and the world , to choose love , '' said Scarlet Lewis , mother of Jesse . While calls for tougher gun laws far outnumbered those arguing against them , several speakers said the weapons are not the problem . Read more : How the violent mentally ill can buy guns . `` Neither the size of the magazine nor the style of the rifle will affect the actions of evil , '' Brian Shimer said . `` Those wishing to do harm to those wishing to do good will never be swayed by the laws of men . '' And Michael Collin said he did n't want to be in a situation where he could be outgunned . `` I do n't want to have to wait for someone to come to defend me . I want to be able to defend myself , '' he said , concerned about speaking his mind in a town still grieving so deeply . But the hearing was not contentious . `` Even if Mike Collins and I disagree , I respect him immensely , '' said Dr. William Begg , one of the physicians who tried to save lives after the shooting . `` What I 'm asking is you consider a stronger assault weapons ban , elimination of the sale of semiautomatic weapons , restriction in the size of magazine clips . '' This month , President Barack Obama unveiled a two-pronged approach to gun violence that included legislation and a set of executive actions . He called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban , institute universal background checks on gun purchases and outlaw gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds . But the residents of Newtown did n't appear to be content to wait for Washington to move , calling their home state to take action . `` Connecticut , the U.S. is at a crossroads and the nation 's eyes are on us and you , '' said Newtown resident Georgia Monaghan . `` Show America the way . '' Gun control advocates march as nation reels from school shootings .
Hundreds attend a Connecticut state task force on gun control . The hearing in Newtown lasted six hours . Most called for stricter gun control laws , but some did not . Last month 's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School killed 20 children and six adults .