State leaders are calling on stricter gun laws on the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting.

On Dec. 14, 2012, 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown were killed in a shooting.

The 20-year-old gunman had also fatally shot his mother at their home before carrying out the attack on the school.

State Sen. Tony Hwang and other local leaders were involved in the state's landmark gun bill, increasing legislation and addressing mental health to improve safety at schools.

"We have made many efforts to help people heal and move forward despite the setbacks that we have and the challenges in regard to what that incident has brought to our society," said Hwang.

"Connecticut stepped up and passed very strong and strict gun laws, which has reduced gun violence and has reduced gun crimes. I wish other states would follow our lead, because what we see really is a pandemic of gun violence across this country," said State Sen. Bob Duff.

There have been more than 2,600 mass shootings in the U.S. since Sandy Hook.

Sandy Hook Promise, an organization that vows to protect children from gun violence, tweeted Tuesday, "To do everything in our power to be remembered not as the town filled with grief and victims; but as the place where real change began."

State leaders say work is being done to finish up a memorial for the 10- year mark next year.

Sandy Hook students learned remotely Tuesday so they could be with their families.