Sandy Hook Families in D.C.: 'We Are Committed'

As Newtown prepared to mark the six-month anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, some family members of those lost spent the days before the anniversary in Washington, D.C., speaking with lawmakers and appearing in public events, including forming a "ribbon of remembrance" and reading names of gun violence victims.

Nicole Hockley, mother of six-year-old shooting victim Dylan Hockley, described the past six months as the "the longest ... in my entire life, but also the shortest," in a Washington D.C. press conference, according to ABC News.

"We are committed, completely committed, to seeing this through," she said. "And the more time that goes by, in some respects, the stronger we're getting."

They were traveling on a bus paid for by the advocacy group Mayors Against Illegal Guns, according to the Danbury News-Times. Mayors Against Illegal Guns launch their "No More Names" campaign, expected to visit dozens of states to rally against gun violence, in Newtown Friday.

The visit has been widely reported in national press as part of a renewed push for gun control legislation, which congress rejected in April. On Wednesday, Sen. Chris Murphy -- who spoke at the outdoor event Thursday -- told the Huffington Post families "are speaking with [U.S. senators who voted against gun legislation] to try to find a path for them to get to 'yes.'

"There are quiet efforts underway in the Senate to try to bring five to six senators to the point of supporting the bill," Murphy said.

In a statement, Sen. Richard Blumenthal commemorated the six-month anniversary with a renewed call for legislation.

"This unspeakable tragedy transformed America and put us on an unstoppable trajectory toward making America safer," said Blumenthal. "I will work with redoubled determination to pass sensible gun violence reforms -- inspired by the great educators and beautiful children who perished six months ago, and by all who have pledged that their lives shall not be lost in vain."