Original subtitles

[OFFICER] YOUR NAME IS WILLIAM, RIGHT?

DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME YOU GO BY?

OR YOU JUST GO--

DOES YOUR FAMILY CALL YOU "WILLIAM,"

THEY CALL YOU "BILL" OR "WILL"? WHAT DO THEY CALL YOU?

-[WILLIAM] GOOFY BOY. -[OFFICER] GOOFY BOY? ALL RIGHT.

SO WILLIAM, HOW OLD ARE YOU?

-FOUR. -YOU'RE FOUR YEARS OLD, HUH?

CAN YOU MAKE ME A PROMISE, WILLIAM?

CAN YOU PROMISE ME THAT EVERYTHING YOU TELL ME TODAY IS THE TRUTH?

CAN YOU PROMISE ME THAT?

-YEAH. -OKAY, GOOD.

SO...

SOMETHING HAPPENED TONIGHT, AT YOUR HOUSE, RIGHT?

[KATE RANTA] MY BROTHER HAD MOVED DOWN TO FLORIDA IN 2001,

AND MY PARENTS MOVED FROM THE WASHINGTON DC AREA.

I REALLY WANTED TO BE NEAR MY FAMILY.

I LIKE THE WARM WEATHER. [LAUGHS]

-WHY ARE WE UP HERE? -WHY ARE WE UP HERE?

WELL, WE JUST WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT.

AND YOU'RE HELPING US FIGURE THAT OUT.

YOU'RE A VERY BIG-- YOU'RE A BIG, BRAVE BOY.

[KATE] I'D BEEN SINGLE FOR A COUPLE YEARS.

DATED ON AND OFF. YOU KNOW, NOTHING SERIOUS.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE DOING ONLINE DATING,

AND OTHER FRIENDS HAD BEEN ON MATCH AND SAID,

"OH, YOU KNOW, WHY DON'T YOU TRY IT?"

AND I WAS NOT REALLY TAKING IT SERIOUSLY, LIKE,

"I'M GONNA MEET MY FUTURE HUSBAND."

YOU KNOW, MAYBE I'LL GO OUT ON A FEW DATES

AND GET A FEW DINNERS AND IT'LL JUST BE FUN.

TOM WAS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FIRST THAT I NOTICED.

I REMEMBER THINKING, "HE'S SO..."

LIKE, "HE'S HOT."

[KATE'S MOTHER] SPOKE WELL AND, YOU KNOW,

WAS CIVIL AND POLITE. SHE WENT WITH IT.

[KATE] HE JUST KIND OF SWOOPED IN AND MADE MY LIFE EASIER.

HE OFFERED, RIGHT AWAY, TO CHECK THE OIL IN MY CAR,

AND SHOPPING SPREES.

[KATE'S MOTHER] WE DIDN'T MEET HIM RIGHT AWAY.

SHE, AT THE TIME-- THE PROVERBIAL, YOU KNOW, SWEPT OFF HER FEET.

THERE WAS JUST TOO MUCH HAPPENING, TOO FAST.

[CHURCH BELL RINGING]

[WEDDING MARCH PLAYING]

[KATE] I GOT PREGNANT BEFORE WE GOT MARRIED,

SO IT WAS SIX MONTHS FROM THE TIME I MET HIM TO THE TIME WE GOT MARRIED.

VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY QUICK.

[PASTOR] NOW BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER,

I JUST WANT YOU TO RENEW YOUR MINDS

ON WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS LOVE IS.

[KATE] SO WE BUILT A HOUSE ABOUT A MILE FROM MY PARENTS'.

[PASTOR] "LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND,

IT IS NOT SELF-SEEKING."

[KATE] I WAS SO EXCITED.

[PASTOR] THIS IS THE TYPE OF LOVE THAT IS NEEDED

IN ORDER FOR YOUR MARRIAGE TO WORK.

[KATE'S MOTHER] AFTER THEY GOT MARRIED,

WE STARTED TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF DISTANCE ABOUT HIM.

[MATT RANTA] THERE WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING OFF ABOUT HIM.

WE COULD NEVER REALLY DIRECTLY PINPOINT IT.

MY JOB... WHOA!

-[WILLIAM GIGGLES] -MY JOB IS, SPECIFICALLY,

IS I HELP KIDS, SO MY JOB IS TO HELP KIDS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE.

AND THAT'S THE ONLY KIND OF POLICE JOB I DO.

-YOU DO? -YEP, THAT'S IT.

I'M HERE TO PROTECT YOU, MAKE SURE YOU'RE SAFE.

-I'M HUNGRY. -[WOMAN CHUCKLES]

YOU HAD A VERY BUSY DAY GETTING HERE, DIDN'T YOU?

[KATE] WHEN I FIRST STARTED DATING HIM,

TOM, HE LET IT BE KNOWN THAT HE WAS A GUN GUY.

WHAT'S HIS HAIR COLOR?

[KATE] HMM, CAN'T REALLY TELL RIGHT NOW,

-BUT HIS EYEBROWS ARE BLOND. -YEAH.

[KATE] I MEAN, HE HAD A GUN CABINET UPSTAIRS.

[MAN] GOD BLESS YOU.

[KATE] HE HAD A LOT OF HUNTING RIFLES,

SEVERAL HANDGUNS, AND A COUPLE OF SHOTGUNS.

I WOULD CALL IT AN ARSENAL.

[WOMAN CHUCKLING]

[KATE] WE HAVE A BUSY FALL INTO THE HOLIDAY SEASON

BECAUSE WE'VE GOT WILLIAM'S BIRTHDAY,

MY BIRTHDAY, THEN IT GOES INTO THE HOLIDAYS.

WE GOT TOGETHER FOR ALL OF THOSE EVENTS,

AND HE WOULD CREATE SOME SORT OF DRAMA.

[KATE'S MOTHER] WE ALMOST BEGAN TO DREAD

FAMILY EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS 'CAUSE WE COULD EXPECT

THAT THERE WAS GONNA BE A PROBLEM.

"WHAT WILL IT BE THIS TIME?"

SHE WAS AT HER WIT'S END. SHE JUST DIDN'T KNOW

WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT IT,

BECAUSE IT JUST HAPPENED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

DO YOU LIKE LIVING WITH YOUR MOMMY?

YEAH.

DO YOU LIKE LIVING WITH YOUR DADDY?

DO YOU SEE YOUR DADDY A LOT?

NO.

-ARE YOU AFRAID OF DADDY? -YEAH.

-YEAH, WHY? -BECAUSE HE HAS A GUN.

[FIREWORKS WHISTLING]

[KATE] IN FLORIDA, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE,

A LOT OF PEOPLE SHOOT OFF FIREWORKS.

OUR NEIGHBORS WERE HAVING A HUGE PARTY.

HE PULLED ME ASIDE AND WAS LIKE, "I WENT AND SHOT MY GUN,"

AND I WAS LIKE, "WHAT?"

"YEAH, WHEN THE FIREWORKS WERE GOING OFF, I WENT AND SHOT MY GUN."

I SAID, "WHERE? THERE'S CHILDREN!"

AND HE WAS LIKE, "BETWEEN THE HOUSES. I WAS SHOOTING AT LIZARDS."

IT ESCALATED TO THE POINT WHERE HE LEFT THE HOUSE,

AND THEN BEGAN BLOWING UP MY PHONE WITH TEXTS,

AND THEN TAKING A PICTURE IN FRONT OF A STRIP CLUB

AND SAYING, "OH, I'M SO DRUNK.

OH, THERE'S SO MANY HOT WOMEN HERE."

2:00 IN THE MORNING, HE COMES HOME.

I CLEARLY HEARD [MIMICS GUN COCKING]

I RAN ACROSS THE HOUSE TO THE FRONT DOOR,

OPENED THE DOOR AND I WAS RUNNING IN THE STREETS AND CALLING 911.

[PHONE LINE RINGING]

[OPERATOR] 911, WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY?

[KATE] I'M ON THE PHONE WITH 911.

I KEPT SAYING THAT HE HAS A GUN.

OUR GARAGE DOOR OPENS. OUT HE WALKS WITH WILLIAM.

HE GOT THE BABY OUT OF THE CRIB,

AND WENT AND GOT IN OUR CAR

AND HAD WILL ON HIS LAP AND HIS GUN.

HE HAD GUNS. I WAS SCREAMING "HELP ME."

I COME RUNNING UP THE STREET.

HE HAD GOTTEN BACK TO THE HOUSE BEFORE THE COPS GOT THERE.

I WAS JUST STARING AT HIM,

AND HE JUST STARED RIGHT BACK AT ME,

AND THAT LOOK IN HIS EYES, IT WAS LIKE, "YOU'RE DEAD."

[KATE'S MOTHER] THE POLICE SAID TO HER, IN THE MORNING,

SHE NEEDED TO GO GET A RESTRAINING ORDER.

"WE CAN'T TAKE HIS GUNS TONIGHT

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A RESTRAINING ORDER.

WITH A RESTRAINING ORDER TOMORROW, WE CAN COME BACK

AND WE CAN CONFISCATE THE GUNS HE HAS."

[KATE] TAKE HIS GUNS.

THAT'S THE MOST VOLATILE TIME.

THAT'S THE MOST LETHAL TIME.

[KATE'S FATHER] I WENT WITH KATIE TO THE COURTHOUSE

TO GET THE RESTRAINING ORDER.

[KATE'S MOTHER] WE GOT A RESTRAINING ORDER,

AND THEY CAME AND TOOK THE GUNS THE NEXT DAY.

[KATE] EVEN THOUGH THE POLICE NOW HAD HIS GUNS,

THEY WARNED US THAT HE COULD GO GET A GUN EASILY

FROM A PRIVATE SALE.

JUST BECAUSE HE WAS SERVED THE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

DIDN'T MEAN THAT HE COULDN'T GO TO A GUN SHOW

OR OBTAIN A GUN THE VERY NEXT DAY.

[KATE'S MOTHER] THE PRIVATE VENDORS DO NOT NEED

TO PUT THE BUYER THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK.

IT'S NOT A GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE.

PEOPLE KEEP SAYING THAT. IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL--

I DECIDE I WANT TO SELL MY GUN TO A FRIEND OF MINE,

SO NOW YOU'VE PUT AN EXTRAORDINARY BURDEN ON ME

TO GO OUT AND CONDUCT A BACKGROUND CHECK.

[KATE] WHEN I MOVED TO BARRINGTON CLUB,

I WAS TRYING TO START OVER WITH MY SON.

WE WERE FINALLY AWAY FROM MY ESTRANGED HUSBAND,

BUT I WAS STILL AFRAID.

WE'VE HAD A LONG WEEK, HAVEN'T WE?

IT WAS A FRIDAY. I HAD WORKED ALL DAY.

WILL WAS AT HIS PRESCHOOL.

PICKED HIM UP, WENT BACK TO THE APARTMENT.

I HAD DINNER PLANS THAT NIGHT.

GOT READY, GO OUT TO THE CAR,

AND THE PASSENGER SIDE, THERE WAS A HUGE SLASH IN THE TIRE.

HE FOUND ME, HE LIKE-- HE FOUND ME.

[KATE'S FATHER] PHONE RANG. KATIE SAID,

"TOM FOUND ME."

I THINK I GOT THE CALL JUST BEFORE 8:00,

THEN I DROVE TO HER APARTMENT.

AND WHAT DID YOU SEE HAPPEN, AT YOUR HOUSE?

-MY DADDY. -WHAT ABOUT YOUR DADDY?

[KATE'S FATHER] I WAS WALKING TOWARDS MY CAR AND I LOOKED ACROSS,

AND IN THE PARKING LOT NEXT TO HER CAR WAS A BMW.

THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON, AND THERE WAS TOM.

I DIDN'T RUN, I JUST WALKED BACK UP AND I SAID,

"KATIE, TOM'S IN THE PARKING LOT. CALL 911."

[OPERATOR] GIVE ME YOUR ADDRESS.

-[KATE] PLEASE. -[OPERATOR] LISTEN TO ME.

[KATE] PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE.

[GUNSHOTS]

[KATE] I REMEMBER HE WAS LIKE, "WAS IT WORTH IT?

WAS IT WORTH IT, YOU FUCKING BITCH?"

[GUNSHOT]

[OFFICER] DID YOU HEAR A LOT OF BOOMS, OR JUST ONE BOOM?

[WILLIAM] A LOT OF BOOMS.

THE BULLETS WENT THROUGH EVERYTHING.

[KATE'S FATHER] I KNEW RIGHT AWAY I HAD BEEN SHOT IN MY LEFT HAND

BECAUSE THIS WHOLE HAND JUST LOCKED.

[WILLIAM] THERE WAS BLOOD EVERYWHERE AROUND MY MOM.

[GUNSHOTS]

[KATE] I JUST DROPPED TO THE GROUND,

AND WAS JUST SCREAMING, AND MY HAND EXPLODING.

[WOMAN ON PHONE] THREE GUNSHOTS HAVE BEEN--

[911 OPERATOR] OKAY, STAY INSIDE.

HOW FAR IS THE GUNSHOT--

[MAN ON PHONE] PRETTY SURE I HEARD AT LEAST THREE GUNSHOTS.

[MALE OPERATOR] SEE IF ANYBODY'S HURT?

[MAN #2] NO, WE CAN'T SEE NOTHING.

WE'RE STAYING INSIDE THE HOUSE.

THEN HE SHOT AGAIN. HE SHOT ME POINT BLANK.

[GUNSHOT]

[OFFICER] WHO SHOT YOUR GRANDPA?

-MY DADDY. -DID YOU SEE THAT HAPPEN?

I THOUGHT MY DAD WAS DEAD.

I THOUGHT HE KILLED HIM.

TOM SAID TO ME, "SHE'S GONE."

[CRIES]

AND SO, I THOUGHT...

[INDISTINCT VOICES OVER RADIO]

[KATE] VOICES AROUND ME...

I CAN'T SEE OR FEEL ANYTHING, JUST THE PAIN IN MY HAND.

AND JUST SCREAMING, "MOMMY, MOMMY!"

IT WAS LIKE I WAS A CHILD AGAIN, JUST SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS.

MOMMY'S AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

[OFFICER] WELL, I'M GONNA LET THE OTHER OFFICER EXPLAIN TO YOU, OKAY?

IS SHE OKAY?

[KATE] AND I REMEMBER THEM, THE TRAUMA UNIT YELLING

"THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE. THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE."

THEY'RE LIKE, "IT'S A FLESH WOUND, IT'S A FLESH WOUND.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!"

IF I HAD-- YOU KNOW, IF I HAD BEEN TURNED ANY OTHER WAY,

I WOULD'VE BEEN GONE.

[NEWSCASTER] A BULLET DID SHATTER KATE MAFFEI'S HAND.

ANOTHER ONE HIT HER IN THE CHEST,

FIRED, POLICE SAY, BY HER ESTRANGED HUSBAND THOMAS MAFFEI.

THAT WOMAN IS KATE RANTA.

SHE USED TO LIVE IN CORAL SPRINGS

AND SHE USED TO BE MARRIED TO A MAN WHO IS HERE

IN THE BROWARD COUNTY JAIL NOW

ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR SHOOTING HER.

[POLICEMAN] YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.

ANYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU IN A COURT OF LAW.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO THE PRESENCE OF AN ATTORNEY

PRIOR TO OR WHILE YOU ARE BEING QUESTIONED.

IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER,

ONE WILL BE APPOINTED AT COUNTY EXPENSE

TO REPRESENT YOU BEFORE ANY QUESTIONING, IF YOU WISH.

YOU CAN DECIDE AT ANY TIME TO EXERCISE THESE RIGHTS

ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR MAKE ANY STATEMENTS,

DO YOU UNDERSTAND EACH OF THE RIGHTS I HAVE EXPLAINED TO YOU?

[TOM] I DO.

[WHISPERING]

[NEWSCASTER] THIS IS A STORY WE REPORT TOO OFTEN.

WOMEN HURT OR KILLED, THEIR HUSBANDS ACCUSED OF THE CRIME.

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A WEEK,

A CASE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENDS IN GUNFIRE.

POLICE SAY A FATHER KILLED HIS WIFE IN FRONT OF THEIR CHILDREN.

[NEWSCASTER #2] THE GUNMAN'S EX-GIRLFRIEND WAS SHOT--

[NEWSCASTER #3] JAMES SHOT AND KILLED HIS WIFE,

AND THEN TURNED THE GUN ON HIMSELF.

[NEWSCASTER #4] HE LEFT ALYSSA WITH TWO BULLET WOUNDS IN THE HEAD.

[NEWSCASTER #5] KILLING THE MOTHER OF HIS CHILD WHILE SHE SLEPT.

[NEWSCASTER #6] SHOT AND KILLED HIS ESTRANGED GIRLFRIEND.

[KATE'S MOTHER] WE NEED TO HAVE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE GUNS OUT OF CONVICTED ABUSERS

OR CRIMINALS UNLESS YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK?

[KATE'S FATHER] THERE SHOULD BE BACKGROUND CHECKS.

SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE PROTECTED.

WE WANT THE FEDERAL GUN LAWS

ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW

TO BE ENFORCED AGAINST FELONS WITH GUNS,

AGAINST DRUG DEALERS WITH GUNS.

[KATE'S MOTHER] AND WHEN THE NRA STANDS THERE AND PROPOSES

THAT WE JUST NEED TO KEEP THE GUNS OUT OF,

YOU KNOW, THE CRIMINALS AND THE MENTALLY UNSTABLE,

WELL, HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE THAT UNLESS YOU HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS?

UNIVERSAL CHECKS IS A DISHONEST PREMISE.

UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS IS NOT GOING TO SAVE ONE LIFE.

HERE'S THE SIMPLE TRUTH: STRICT GUN CONTROL LAWS DO NOT WORK.

THE GUN INDUSTRY WOULD BE DEFINITELY AGAINST ALL OF THESE PROPOSALS

BECAUSE IT WOULD DIMINISH THEIR PROFITS.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

[KATE] MY ESTRANGED HUSBAND USED A BERETTA

TO SHOOT AT ME AND MY FATHER.

OUR GOAL IS TO TRY TO RAISE AT LEAST $100,000 A YEAR,

EVERY YEAR FOR THE NRA,

'CAUSE THEY'RE OUT-- THEY'RE LOOKING OUT FOR US IN CONGRESS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY

TO STEP UP AND SUPPORT THE NRA.

THEY ARE OUR VOICE.

[FIFER] I REALLY LIKE STANDING UP THERE WITH WAYNE LAPIERRE

AND HANDING HIM A BIG FAT CHECK.

THE NRA GAVE BRENDA AND I GOLD JACKETS,

BECAUSE WE GIVE THEM A LOT OF MONEY.

[KATE'S FATHER] THIS IS A LOBBY FOR THE GUN MANUFACTURERS.

WHY WOULD ANYONE TRUST THE NRA

WHEN THE GUN COMPANIES ARE PAYING MUCH OF THEIR SALARIES?

[KATE] THE NRA CREATES FEAR

IN ORDER TO SELL MORE GUNS

AND MAKE MORE MONEY FOR GUN MANUFACTURERS.

THE FEAR THAT THEY CREATE, IT JUST PERPETUATES THIS MYTH

THAT YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

I KNOW A LOT OF WOMEN THAT FALL FOR THE TACTIC,

"WOMEN NEED GUNS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES."

WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ME

PULLING A GUN ON SOMEBODY THAT I ONCE LOVED, THE FATHER OF MY CHILD.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ME PULLING THE TRIGGER AND TAKING HIS LIFE.

I BELIEVE WE CAN DO MORE TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF DANGEROUS PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY I JOINED WITH "EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY."

[NEWSCASTER] THEY'RE PART OF A GROUP CALLED "EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY."

[KATE] HE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD A GUN.

SOMETHING LIKE COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS

WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIM FROM GETTING A GUN

AND POSSIBLY TAKING OUT

THREE GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY.

THAT'S ALL I KNOW ABOUT THE LAWS, ABOUT GUNS.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM GUNSHOTS.

[KATE'S MOTHER] I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR OF MY LIFE

WHEN I GO TO THE MALL,

WHEN I PICK UP MY GRANDCHILDREN FROM SCHOOL.

[KATE'S FATHER] MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY

IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT

THAN GREED AND PROFIT OF THE NRA AND GUN COMPANIES.

[KATE] MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.

I HOPE THAT I CAN PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE.

[GUNSHOT]

[BIRDS SQUAWKING]

[LINE RINGING]

-[OPERATOR] 911. -[MAN] SOMEONE GOT SHOT INSIDE!

-[OPERATOR] HELLO? -[BOY] SO WE WERE STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE--

[BOY #2] IT WAS GETTING INTO THE CARPET. HE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME.

[MAN] YES, I THINK SO.

[OPERATOR] WHERE ARE THEY SHOT?

[MAN] I'VE BEEN TOLD THEY'VE BEEN SHOT IN THE SHOULDER.

[OPERATOR] OKAY, ARE YOU WITH THEM?

[OPERATOR] ARE THEY IN THE HOUSE?

[MAN] YES, THEY'RE IN THE HOUSE.

[OPERATOR] WAS IT INTENTIONAL?

SIR, CAN YOU TALK TO ME? WAS THIS--

[MAN] OFF OF 7TH STREET.

[OPERATOR] CAN YOU TELL ME WHO'S BEEN SHOT?

WHO'S BEEN SHOT?

[OPERATOR] THE PERSON INSIDE THE RESIDENCE HAS BEEN SHOT?

[MAN] PUT PRESSURE ON THE WOUND.

-[OPERATOR] SIR... -[MAN] CLEAN THAT UP AND PUT PRESSURE.

-[OPERATOR] SIR. -[MAN] HELLO?

[OPERATOR] LET ME GET FIRE ON THE LINE WITH US.

JUST ONE MOMENT. DO NOT HANG UP.

[NEWSCASTER] AND FROM THERE, TRAGEDY UNFOLDED.

KOMO 4'S LINDSAY COHEN JOINS US LIVE FROM 11TH STREET IN PUYALLUP

WHERE THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE-- LINDSAY?

YEAH, MARY, TONIGHT POLICE STILL BELIEVE

THIS WAS ACCIDENTAL AND UNINTENTIONAL.

IT HASN'T STOPPED THEM, THOUGH, FROM TAKING

THE ALLEGED SHOOTER INTO CUSTODY.

IT WAS A LITTLE AFTER 4:00, 'CAUSE SCHOOL GOT OUT AT ABOUT 3:30.

AND THE POLICE CAME TO MY JOB.

I HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME AROUND 4:00.

AND MY BROTHER STILL ISN'T HOME YET.

[NEWSCASTER] A SIMPLE SHOW-AND-TELL LED TO THE GUNFIRE.

IT APPEARS HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS REAL,

AND FIRED THE SHOTGUN.

SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS ARE STILL THINGS

THAT THE INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO SORT THROUGH.

ONE OF THE GUNS WAS NOT LOCKED UP.

IT WAS BEHIND OUR BED. I DON'T KNOW WHY.

[WOMAN] DO YOU KNOW WHICH ONE?

[HOMEOWNER] THE SHOTGUN.

[WOMAN] IS THAT FOR SAFETY, MAYBE?

[HOMEOWNER] POSSIBLY FROM MY HUSBAND'S PERSPECTIVE

IT WAS SAFE--I'M NOT SURE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WASN'T LOCKED UP.

[WOMAN] YOU DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS LOADED OR NOT?

[HOMEOWNER] NO, I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS LOADED OR NOT.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] HE TOLD ME, "DO YOU HAVE ANY CHILDREN?"

I SAID, "JOSE AND EDDIE."

AND THEY SAID, "WELL, WE'RE HERE ABOUT EDDIE.

THERE'S BEEN AN ACCIDENT. EDDIE WAS SHOT."

I SAID, "WELL, WHERE IS HE?"

THEY SAID, "WELL, HE'S AT THE HOSPITAL,

BUT HE DIDN'T MAKE IT."

I JUST STARTED SCREAMING.

[EDDIE'S COUSIN] I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL.

I COULD HEAR MY AUNT SCREAMING IN THE BACKGROUND.

SHE WAS SAYING, "THEY KILLED HIM, THEY KILLED HIM!"

I WAS LIKE, "WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" AND SHE WAS LIKE, "EDDIE!"

"WHO KILLED EDDIE?" AND THEN THE PHONE JUST DROPPED.

SO MY SON CAME HOME AND HE SAT ME DOWN

AND HE SAID, "MOM, SOMETHING HAPPENED TO EDDIE ZEE,"

AND I SAID, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"

[BROTHER] MOM CAME HOME.

SHE BUSTED THROUGH THE DOOR AND SHE WAS SCREAMING AND CRYING.

[EDDIE'S GRANDMOTHER] HOW DOES A CHILD GET SHOT BY A FRIEND FROM SCHOOL?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

PEOPLE JUST LEAVE GUNS AROUND FOR CHILDREN TO SHOOT CHILDREN?

SOMETHING'S GOT TO BE DONE. THIS IS HAPPENING TOO MUCH.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT IF SPEAKING OUT TODAY,

MOTIVATES JUST ONE PERSON

TO SECURE THEIR GUN,

MY SON EDDIE ZEE HOLMES' LIFE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN VAIN.

[KAI KLOEPFER] THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND TEENS

KILLED BY FIREARMS IS TWO AND A HALF TIMES

THE TOTAL US MILITARY CASUALTIES

FOR THE VIETNAM, IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN WARS COMBINED.

THAT'S A PROBLEM.

[NEWSCASTER] KAI KLOEPFER IS ONE OF 15 STUDENTS

THAT THE SILICON VALLEY SMART TECH CHALLENGES FOUNDATION

IS GIVING A GRANT TO.

HE CREATED A BUILT-IN SCANNER

THAT IDENTIFIES A USER'S FINGERPRINTS.

IDEALLY, I'D LOVE TO SEE, YOU KNOW, THIS PRODUCT

IN GUN STORES, ON THE SHELVES,

AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO PURCHASE

AND YOU KNOW, TO BE OUT THERE SAVING LIVES.

WE NEED A SOLUTION LIKE THIS.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT A BRAND-NEW TECHNOLOGY

THAT PREVENTS GUNS FROM BEING USED AGAINST THEIR OWNER,

AND IT'S FROM A COMPANY CALLED TRIGGERSMART.

WE GOTTA TRY THIS.

TRIGGERSMART IN ACTION.

IT MAY JUST BE THE BEGINNING OF A WHAT COULD BE

A TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION IN FIREARM SAFETY.

YOU CANNOT STOP INNOVATION.

POLICE SAY THIS CABLE-STYLE GUN LOCK

COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY

AND THEY SAY IT'S REALLY EASY TO USE.

A SIMPLE CABLE PREVENTS THE GUN FROM BEING LOADED,

COMPLETELY STOPS ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS.

A SIMPLE COMBINATION

ALLOWS ME TO QUICKLY GET MY FIREARM WHEN NEEDED.

[NEWSCASTER] JUST A FEW EASY STEPS THAT CAN HELP SAVE A LIFE.

THIS IS ABOUT KIDS' SAFETY. WE WANT TO KEEP KIDS SAFE.

WITH BOTH BIOMETRICS AND RFID,

THERE'S NO REASON A USER SHOULD NOT KEEP HIS GUN SAFE.

TECHNOLOGY IS SEEPING INTO EVERY CORNER OF OUR LIVES.

WHY NOT GUNS?

PART OF THE PROPOSAL IS DEVELOPING SMART GUN TECHNOLOGY.

IT HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED, PRIMARILY BECAUSE

IT'S BEEN BLOCKED BY EITHER THE NRA--

WHICH ARE FUNDED BY GUN MANUFACTURERS--

OR OTHER REASONS AND PART-- WHAT WE PROPOSED WAS

YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'RE GONNA DO SOME OF THE RESEARCH.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT MAKES FIREARMS SAFER,

WITH PRETTY MUCH NO DOWN SIDES.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT,

YOU KNOW, THE NRA SHOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF.

WHY THEY AREN'T DOING RESEARCH AND INVESTING IN THIS BAFFLES ME.

OUR CHILD ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROGRAMS

ARE SECOND TO NONE.

TRIGGER LOCKS DO NOT STOP GUN CRIMES OR ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS.

IT JUST IS MAKING GUNS AND SELF DEFENSE

AND PERSONAL PROTECTION MORE COSTLY.

WE KNOW THAT THE SMART GUN IS THE HOLY GRAIL FOR THE ANTI-GUN MOVEMENT.

WHY? IT IS A CONVENIENT VEHICLE

TO BAN CONVENTIONAL GUNS WHILE SEEMING LIKE

YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING APPROPRIATE.

I MEAN, REALLY, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

ESPECIALLY IF CARS ARE 35 TIMES MORE LIKELY

TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DEATH?

[WOMAN] ACTUALLY, IN WASHINGTON STATE LAST YEAR,

MORE PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY GUNS THAN BY CARS.

THIS IS BRIAN JUDY, NRA, SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO THIS BILL.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER ITEMS AROUND THE HOUSE

THAT CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH TO A CHILD.

I'M AT WORK.

JUST TAKING A BREAK, WALKING.

HAD A DIFFICULT MORNING.

JUST EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING REMINDS ME OF MY SON.

WHEN I WENT TO THE STORE...

THERE WAS A MAN WALKING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME,

AND HAD A GUN ON HIS BELT, AND...

IT JUST-- IT JUST REALLY STARTLED ME.

JUST UNEXPECTED. IT WAS LIKE...

JUST WALKED IN AND HE WAS IN FRONT OF ME,

AND THERE WAS KIDS WALKING AROUND.

WENT TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CALLED THE MANAGER,

WHO SAID THEY FOLLOWED WASHINGTON STATE LAW

AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

"WE FOLLOW WASHINGTON STATE LAW."

I JUST REALLY MISS HIM.

THIS IS A .20 GAUGE SHOTGUN.

IT IS A SYNTHETIC STOCK WITH REAL TREATED AP CAMO.

-THAT'S WHAT-- -THAT'S THE GUN, RIGHT?

[ON COMPUTER] DAILY SHOOTER HERE.

JUST WANTED TO COME TO YOU TODAY WITH A REVIEW

OF THE MOSSBERG 500 PHANTOM.

THIS IS A YOUTH MODEL.

"A YOUTH MODEL."

EVERYWHERE ELSE AND IN ALL OTHER AREAS OF LIFE

WE CHOOSE TO PROTECT OUR KIDS, BUT NOT IN THIS ONE AREA,

AND TO ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY.

AND THAT'S JUST ONE MANUFACTURER.

[EDDIE'S GRANDMOTHER] AND NRA IS IN ALL THESE POCKETS OF LEGISLATORS,

AND THAT IS DISGUSTING.

[LAWRENCE O'DONNELL] AMERICA'S MERCHANTS OF GUN DEATH

ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT CHILD SAFETY

OR ADULT SAFETY OR ANYTHING OTHER THAN GETTING RICH.

I AM AT THE PUYALLUP LIBRARY TODAY.

THERE'S A SCULPTURE OF THIS BOY.

IT JUST REMINDS ME OF MY SON PLAYING IN THIS AREA.

SO THIS IS WHERE WE WOULD COME TO PLAY.

HE WOULD READ BOOKS, RENT MOVIES AND GO ON THE COMPUTER, DO VIDEOS,

AND PLAY IN THE PARK WITH ALL THE KIDS.

THIS IS JUST WHERE HE GREW UP. IT'S WHERE HE GREW UP.

JUST FEEL LIKE I'LL BE SITTING WITH MY SON.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER ON VIDEO] HERE, I'LL HELP YOU.

-NO. -NO? OKAY.

THERE YOU GO! YOU DID IT!

[EDDIE GIGGLES] I DID IT.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER LAUGHS]

YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT ALL THE THINGS...

ALL THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA MISS.

[BOY] AH! THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER ON VIDEO] OH, NO YOU DON'T.

ALL MINE! MINE!

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] HE WAS A HUGGER, KISSER.

EVERY NIGHT HE WOULD COME TO MY BED.

HE'S LIKE, "TIME TO CUDDLE."

-HI. -[EDDIE'S MOTHER ON VIDEO] HI THERE.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] THAT'S-- THAT I MISS A LOT.

I MISS THAT.

[NEWSCASTER] A TWO-YEAR-OLD IS DEAD AFTER FINDING A GUN.

[NEWSCASTER #2] AND RIGHT NOW, THIS IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED A CRIME.

[NEWSCASTER #3] THIS IS NOW THE THIRD ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING

INVOLVING A CHILD SINCE FRIDAY.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] HE'S ALREADY MISSED TWO BIRTHDAYS.

I'M HOPING THAT KIND OF MAKES IT REAL FOR PEOPLE,

WHEN THEY SEE HE WAS 13 YEARS OLD, AND ALREADY TWO BIRTHDAYS.

[NEWSCASTER] A SPLIT SECOND THAT FOREVER CHANGES THE LIVES

OF UNSUSPECTING CHILDREN WHO MISTAKE GUNS FOR TOYS.

ALL RIGHT, WE'LL SEE EVERYBODY AT THE GUN SHOW.

[NEWSCASTER] NEARLY HALF OF GUNS IN THIS COUNTRY

ARE NOT LOCKED AWAY PROPERLY,

AND GUNS ACCIDENTALLY KILL KIDS IN THE US

TEN TIMES MORE OFTEN THAN ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] IT'S REAL PEOPLE THAT IT'S HAPPENING TO,

NOT JUST SOMETHING YOU HEAR ON THE NEWS.

[EDDIE'S COUSIN] YEAR AFTER YEAR WE SEE KIDS GET KILLED,

LITTLE KIDS GET KILLED.

[EDDIE'S GRANDMOTHER] YOU CAN SURVIVE,

BUT WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

HOPEFULLY THIS'LL GET A GOOD MESSAGE ACROSS.

I ALREADY KNOW PEOPLE THAT NOW THEY LOCK UP THEIR GUNS

WHEN THEY NEVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT BEFORE.

JUST SUCH A SMALL THING TO DO TO SAVE A LIFE.

[EDDIE'S COUSIN] KIDS ARE CURIOUS.

I'VE BEEN TEACHING FOR 25 YEARS,

I KNOW THE CURIOSITY

AND WHY WOULD WE EVER BLAME OUR CHILDREN

FOR BEING WHO THEY ARE? IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] IT WAS JUST UNBELIEVABLE TO ME

THAT MY SON IS GONE,

AND NO ONE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

ONE DAY SOON, WE'LL PROTECT OUR CHILDREN,

AND, UH...

PUT OUR KIDS FIRST.

BRING A "LOCK 'EM UP" LAW HERE IN WASHINGTON.

EDDIE ZEE.

[OBAMA] HUNDREDS OF KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 18

ARE BEING SHOT, OFTEN BY ACCIDENT.

[LAPIERRE] CLEAR YOUR EYES WITH CONVICTION.

LET THEM BE DAMNED.

[EDDIE'S GRANDMOTHER] MOTHERS ARE LOSING CHILDREN,

AND IT'S GOTTA BE STOPPED SOMEHOW.

[EDDIE'S COUSIN] IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT

OF A DECISION TO MAKE TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN

WHEN IT COMES TO GUNS.

[EDDIE'S MOTHER] IF THEY HAD ONLY LOCKED IT UP,

MY SON WOULD BE HERE TODAY.

[NEWSCASTER] KAYLYN PRYOR WAS AN INDISPUTABLE RISING STAR.

[NEWSCASTER #2] THE 20-YEAR-OLD WON A RENOWNED MODELING CONTRACT...

[NEWSCASTER #3] DEMARIO TALKED ABOUT WORKING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT...

[NEWSCASTER #4] PENDLETON WAS AN HONORS STUDENT,

A MAJORETTE AT KING, AND PLAYED ON THE SCHOOL'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM.

[NEWSCASTER #5] 11-YEAR-OLD SHAMIYA ADAMS LOVED TO DANCE...

[NEWSCASTER #6] RELATIVES SAY MCFARLANE DECIDED TO GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL...

[NEWSCASTER #7] A SENIOR AT URBAN PREP ACADEMY

AND ON THE BASKETBALL AND TRACK TEAMS--

[NEWSCASTER #8] THE HONOR ROLL STUDENT FROM PROSPECTIVES IIT ACADEMY--

[NEWSCASTER #9] ...WAS JUST ENROLLED AT OLIVE HARVEY COLLEGE.

[NEWSCASTER #10] A YOUNG MAN, FULL OF PROMISE AND POTENTIAL--

[NEWSCASTER #11] ...SURVIVED TWO TOURS OF DUTY IN IRAQ.

[NEWSCASTER #12] SEVERAL COLLEGES WERE SCOUTING HIM.

[NEWSCASTER #13] ...WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN A NEW JOB MONDAY.

-...WAS SO TALENTED... -...LIVED A LIFE OF SERVICE.

[PAM BOSLEY] MY SON TERRELL WAS JOLLY.

HE LOVED TO TELL JOKES.

VERY TALENTED, COULD SING.

HIS DREAM WAS TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD

AND BE THIS FAMOUS GOSPEL BASS PLAYER,

AND HE WAS ON HIS WAY.

[SINGING BALLAD]

[PAM] TERRELL WAS AT CHURCH.

HE TOOK HIS GIRLFRIEND TO CHURCH.

HE WENT EARLY. HE HAD REHEARSAL

WITH A CHOIR THAT HE WAS GONNA PLAY WITH.

SO WHEN HE CAME OUT TO HELP HIS FRIEND GET DRUMS OUT OF A CAR,

SOMEBODY CAME BY SHOOTING.

[GUNSHOTS]

WE WAS ACTUALLY AT HOME, DOING HOMEWORK WITH OUR OTHER TWO CHILDREN,

AND THAT'S THE CALL WE GOT.

[NEWSCASTER] THE SHOOTING CAME JUST AFTER 7:00 PM

OUTSIDE THIS CHURCH ON THE CITY'S SOUTH SIDE.

[PAM] THE GOAL OF A PARENT IS TO SAVE YOUR CHILD

AND PROTECT THEM.

YOU WONDER, DID YOU DO THE RIGHT THINGS,

DID YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG? BUT TERRELL WAS AT A CHURCH.

HE WAS ON CHURCH GROUNDS, GROUNDS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE,

AND HE'S NOT HERE.

[CLARA ALLEN] IT WAS A SUMMER NIGHT.

SHE WAS SITTING IN A CAR WITH HER FRIENDS.

THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO A PARTY ON THAT BLOCK.

AND SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

SHE WANTED TO BE AN ATTORNEY.

SHE WAS 21 YEARS OLD.

JUST NEVER KNEW THAT THE PAIN WAS THAT GREAT.

[MAN #1] CHICAGO'S VIOLENCE PROBLEM IS DIRECTLY LINKED

TO THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL GUNS,

THE MAJORITY OF WHICH COME FROM STATES WITH WEAK GUN LAWS.

60% OF GUNS FOUND AT CHICAGO CRIME SCENES

ARE TRAFFICKED INTO THE CITY FROM OTHER STATES.

[MAN #2] OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS,

MORE THAN 1,000 FIREARMS SEIZED IN CHICAGO

CAME FROM MISSISSIPPI.

[MAN #1] 695 GUNS FOUND IN CHICAGO CRIME SCENES

WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD IN WISCONSIN.

[MAN #2] IN SIX YEARS, 3,824 GUNS THAT WERE USED IN CRIMES

WHICH CAME FROM OUR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR, INDIANA.

CHICAGO POLICE SAID THEY HAVE SEIZED MORE THAN 6,500 ILLEGAL GUNS THIS YEAR.

[NEWSCASTER] 130 ILLEGAL WEAPONS EACH WEEK.

MORE THAN 4,800 FIREARMS,

ONE GUN'S BEEN SEIZED EVERY 72 MINUTES.

[NEWSCASTER] MOST OF THE SHOOTINGS TOOK PLACE IN POOR NEIGHBORHOODS,

FAR FROM DOWNTOWN AND TOURIST ATTRACTIONS,

ONE REASON MUCH OF THE CITY SEEMS TO BE SHRUGGING ITS SHOULDERS.

[PAM] THERE'S MORE GUNS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAN THERE'S BOOKS.

[TOM] YOU'RE SITTING AROUND A TABLE,

IT'S NOT THE SAME BECAUSE YOU'RE MISSING A PERSON

WHO SHOULD BE AT THAT TABLE AND A LOT OF TIMES WITH ME,

I FLASH BACK TO WHAT HE LOOKED LIKE, WHAT WOULD HE LOOK LIKE NOW?

YOU KNOW, WOULD HE BE MARRIED NOW? WOULD HE HAVE KIDS?

WOULD WE BE GRANDPARENTS?

[PAM] THEN YOU WATCH THE DOOR, HOPING THAT THEY WALK IN.

YOU KNOW, YOU JUST, IN YOUR MIND, THINKING THAT IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PAIN OF LOSING A CHILD.

IT'S A HORRIBLE FEELING, AND YOU GO THROUGH DEPRESSION,

SO THE FIRST YEAR, THE PAIN WAS SO BAD I TRIED TO TAKE MY LIFE.

I SAT IN THE CAR AND I LET THE CAR RUN,

TRYING TO DIE FROM THE CARBON MONOXIDE.

AND THEN FOR SOME REASON, GOD MUST'VE TOLD ME, "JUST STOP."

I FEEL FOR CHICAGO, 'CAUSE IT'S A BLOODBATH OUT HERE.

[MAN #1] THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GUN SHOWS

THAT SURROUND THE CITY OF CHICAGO YEAR-ROUND

THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO LOCAL GUN LAWS.

THEY ARE A MAJOR SOURCE OF GUNS FOUND AT CHICAGO CRIME SCENES.

[MAN] GUN SHOWS WERE ORIGINALLY CREATED

FOR FIREARMS ENTHUSIASTS TO SELL THEIR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

AND ACQUIRE OTHER THINGS FOR THEIR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS.

[MAN #1] FIVE MILLION PEOPLE ATTEND 5,200 GUN SHOWS ANNUALLY,

GENERATING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SALES FOR GUN MANUFACTURERS.

[SIRENS WAILING]

DEONTAE WASN'T A REALLY BIG OUTSIDE PERSON.

A LOT OF TIMES I USED TO FUSS ON HIM LIKE,

"DON'T YOU HAVE SOME FRIENDS OR SOMETHING?

GO OUTSIDE SOMETIME."

I WAS AT WORK, THEN ABOUT 11:00.

SOMEONE STARTED CALLING ME. MY PHONE STARTED RINGING,

AND THEY WAS SAYING THAT DEONTAE HAD GOT SHOT.

[GUNSHOTS]

I FAINTED A COUPLE OF TIMES.

HE ASKED ME WHAT WAS MY SON'S NAME AND I TOLD HIM,

AND THEN THE FIRST QUESTION HE SAID TO ME,

"WAS HE IN ANY GANGS?"

I'M LIKE, "NO, HE WASN'T IN ANY GANGS."

AND, UH, "WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT?

HE'S NOT A GANGBANGER."

IN MY HOSPITAL, 54 KIDS GOT SHOT LAST YEAR,

AND THEY TRICKLED THROUGH THE NEWS, ONE AT A TIME,

AND THEN FADED OUT OF PEOPLE'S PUBLIC CONSCIOUS.

WHERE IS THAT OUTCRY FOR THESE KIDS, RIGHT?

IT'S NOT HAPPENING ALL AT ONCE.

IT'S THIS CHRONIC STEADY STREAM OF VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIVES.

AND TO THINK ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS IN THOSE TERMS,

IF YOU SHIFT THE WAY PEOPLE THINK ABOUT IT,

MAYBE THEY'LL GET MORE MAD ABOUT IT.

WE KNOW THAT SINCE THE '90S,

2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM BUYING FIREARMS

THROUGH FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

THOSE SAME 2 MILLION PEOPLE COULD VERY WELL--

EASILY HAVE GONE TO THE GUN SHOW IN CROWN POINT, INDIANA,

OR SOME OTHER GUN SHOW AND ACQUIRED A FIREARM

WITHOUT ANY TROUBLE WHATSOEVER.

[NEWSCASTER] ANDREW HOLMES IS A FIXTURE AT CRIME SCENES IN CHICAGO,

CONSOLING VICTIMS IN TIMES OF GRIEF.

[NEWSCASTER #2] NOW HE FINDS HIMSELF ON THE OTHER SIDE OF A STORY

THAT HE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

MY DAUGHTER'S ALWAYS CALLED ME.

I REALLY THOUGHT THAT CALL THAT WAS COMING IN WAS HER,

AND HE TOLD ME MY DAUGHTER HAD BEEN SHOT.

[GUNSHOT]

I WORKED VERY HARD FOR MANY YEARS

AS AN ACTIVIST TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE,

AND WORKED WITH SO, SO MANY FAMILIES,

AND THEN IT HITS MY HOME DEEP, MY OWN DAUGHTER.

SOMEONE HAD JUST TAKEN MY BABY'S LIFE,

AND IT AIN'T RIGHT.

[CATHERINE] THEY ALL KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS SHOT.

THEY ALL KNOW SOMEONE IN THEIR FAMILY WHO WAS SHOT,

OR THEY'VE PERSONALLY BEEN SHOT.

WHAT DOES THAT DO TO A COMMUNITY, WHEN--

OKAY, YOU HAVE THESE 54 KIDS,

BUT WHAT DO THEIR SIBLINGS THINK?

WHAT DO THEIR PARENTS THINK? WHAT DO THEIR COUSINS THINK?

HOW DO THEY GO THROUGH THEIR LIVES KNOWING

THAT JUST GETTING SHOT IS PART OF LIFE?

[PAM] HE HAD JUST TURNED 18 IN JANUARY

AND HE WAS MURDERED IN APRIL,

AND IF I COULD GO BACK, YOU KNOW,

IF GOD WOULD HAVE ALLOWED, I WOULD'VE TOOK THAT BULLET.

I HAD LIVED TO BE 40, SO I HAD LIVED MY LIFE.

TERRELL WAS JUST STARTING.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT DOES ANY GOOD TO EXTEND THE LAW

TO PRIVATE SALES BETWEEN HOBBYISTS AND COLLECTORS.

[MAN] OKAY, SO YOU DO NOT SUPPORT

MANDATORY BACKGROUND CHECKS IN ALL INSTANCES AT GUN SHOWS?

WE DO NOT--

THIS IS AN EASY HUB RIGHT HERE,

BECAUSE THIS IS THE HIGHWAY STRAIGHT TO INDIANA.

YOU GET ON THIS HIGHWAY HERE, HEAD STRAIGHT TO INDIANA,

WHEREVER THEY CAN HAVE EASY ACCESS TO BY THEM GUNS.

[OBAMA] THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS STRONG GUN CONTROL LAWS

AND OFTENTIMES THE NRA WILL POINT TO THAT AS AN EXAMPLE

AND SAY "SEE? THESE THINGS DON'T WORK."

WHY IS CHICAGO DEAD LAST IN ENFORCEMENT

OF THE GUN LAWS AGAINST GANGS WITH GUNS, FELONS WITH GUNS--

[TRUMP] IN CHICAGO WHERE THEY HAVE A TREMENDOUS GUN PROBLEM

THEY HAVE THE GANGS-- MANY OF THEM ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, BY THE WAY.

[OBAMA] GUNS ARE COMING FROM INDIANA ACROSS THE BORDER

WHERE THERE ARE MUCH LAXER LAWS.

AND SO FOLKS WILL GO TO A GUN SHOW,

PURCHASE A WHOLE BUNCH OF FIREARMS,

DRIVE UP INTO THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO,

OPEN UP THE TRUNK AND THOSE THINGS ARE FOR SALE.

[TONYA] THEY SELLING THEM WITHOUT THE BACKGROUND CHECKS,

NOT DOING THE COMPLETE PAPERWORK THEY SHOULD BE DOING.

IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT EASY TO BUY A GUN.

40% OF GUN SALES IN OUR COUNTRY

DON'T REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK.

IT'S BEEN TRIVIALIZED BY CALLING IT THE GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE.

IT'S NOT ONLY THE GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE.

IT'S THE INTERNET LOOPHOLE.

IT'S THE NEWSPAPER CLASSIFIED LOOPHOLE.

[CATHERINE] WHAT IS THE COST TO SOCIETY OVERALL, RIGHT?

THESE KIDS HAVE DECADES OF LIFE AHEAD OF THEM.

WHAT WOULD THEY HAVE DONE IF THEY DIDN'T GET SHOT?

OR WHO COULD THEY HAVE BEEN IF THEY DIDN'T GROW UP

IN A COMMUNITY OF VIOLENCE?

[BRIAN WILLIAMS] THEN OF COURSE, THERE'S THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

MORE PEOPLE KILLED THERE LAST YEAR

THEN AMERICAN TROOPS KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN.

[DIANE SAWYER] WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU NOW TO CHICAGO

WHERE THIS PAST WEEKEND AT LEAST 52 PEOPLE

WERE SHOT, EIGHT OF THEM KILLED, IN A WAVE OF VIOLENCE ACROSS THE CITY.

[NEWSCASTER] WE ARE HEARING ABOUT SHOOTINGS, IT SEEMS, DAILY.

[NEWSCASTER #2] AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL SHOT IN THE HEAD

BY A STRAY BULLET DIED THIS MORNING.

[NEWSCASTER #3] THE HONOR ROLL STUDENT GUNNED DOWN WHILE WALKING WITH FRIENDS.

[NEWSCASTER #4] 17-YEAR-OLD WAS SHOT IN THE CHEST AND KILLED LAST NIGHT--

[NEWSCASTER #5] YET ANOTHER VIOLENT WEEKEND HERE IN CHICAGO--

[NEWSCASTER VOICES OVERLAPPING]

[NEWSCASTER #6] GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE

HAVE BEEN KILLED BY GUNFIRE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, 13 MORE WOUNDED.

[RON HOLT] HE HAD TOLD ME THAT HE WANTED HIS MOM TO HAVE A PENDANT

FOR MOTHER'S DAY BECAUSE SHE HAD JUST BEEN PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT

WITH THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT.

HE HAD JUST STARTED RIDING THE BUS FREQUENTLY AFTER SCHOOL.

BEING THE ONLY CHILD AND EVERYTHING,

HE LOVED SCHOOL BECAUSE HE MADE SO MANY FRIENDS.

MICHAEL PACE, HE PLANTED HIS BODY NEXT TO THIS WALL,

AND HE WAITED FOR SOME PEOPLE TO GET ON THE BUS AHEAD OF HIM.

AND HE GOT ON WITH A .40 CALIBER SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIREARM,

AND HE FIRED SEVERAL SHOTS.

[GUNSHOTS, SCREAMS]

[NEWSCASTER] A BREAKING NEWS STORY

ON CHICAGO'S FAR SOUTH SIDE. FIVE PEOPLE ARE SHOT.

[NEWSCASTER #2] MANY OF THE BUS PASSENGERS, WE'RE TOLD,

WERE DUCKING BEHIND THE SEATS.

OTHERS WERE SCREAMING FOR HELP.

[NEWSCASTER #3] ALL OF THE VICTIMS ARE JUVENILES.

[RON] HIS BODY WAS STILL A LITTLE WARM,

AND I SAID, "MAN, I JUST TALKED TO YOU YESTERDAY.

I JUST TALKED TO YOU 24 HOURS AGO."

I ALWAYS THOUGHT I PUT THE RIGHT PROTECTIVE BARRIERS AROUND HIM

BEING AN INVOLVED PARENT.

HE WAS A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL SON.

[MAN] IT'S ALL RIGHT.

HE WAS...

HE WAS A GOOD KID.

AND THAT MORNING, THE PHONE RANG.

AND I SAID, "I'M NOT GETTING IT,"

'CAUSE THE KIDS, YOU KNOW, THEY WAS LIKE,

"MOM, YOU NEED TO GET AWAY."

SO I SAID, "NO." THEY KEEP ON CALLING, CALLING.

SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT, SO I ANSWERED THE PHONE.

MY MOTHER SAID, "JEFFREY, THEY SAID, UH, HE'S DEAD."

I SAID, "WHO, HIS DAD? WHO?"

THEY SAID, "THE SON, THE JUNIOR."

AND I SAID, "PLEASE TELL ME IT'S NOT TRUE,

THIS CAN'T BE TRUE."

AND THEY SAID, "YES, IT IS."

AND I JUST-- I FAINTED. I COULDN'T DEAL WITH IT.

I JUST WANTED TO KILL MYSELF, JUST TAKE MY LIFE.

BECAUSE I-- YOU KNOW, I WANT ALL MY KIDS THERE.

ALL OF THEM, AND IT'S SAD FOR SOMEBODY

TO TAKE YOUR CHILD AWAY.

WHO IS--

[SIGHS, MURMURS]

[JEFFREY BUTLER SR.] TOP STUDENT IN HIS CLASS.

HIS FAMOUS WORDS WAS HE WAS ABOUT TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD.

A MAN WAITS ALL HIS LIFE FOR HIS SON TO GET GROWN

SO HE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WHERE YOU CAN TALK--

YOU KNOW, SPEAK MAN-TO-MAN TO YOUR SON.

AND NOW HE'S GONE. IT'S JUST SNATCHED AWAY.

I DIDN'T SPEAK, I DIDN'T MOVE

OF ANYTHING, YOU KNOW,

MOANING LIKE A WOUNDED ANIMAL.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GET UP. YOUR HEART FEEL LIKE

SOMEBODY JUST RIPPING IT APART.

IT'S A TERRIBLE THING FOR ANY MOTHER TO LOSE THEIR CHILD.

THAT'S PAIN THAT YOU NEVER, EVER GET OVER.

NO MOTHER SHOULD EVER BURY A CHILD.

OUR CHILDREN SUPPOSED TO BURY US.

AND GOING THROUGH IT, I FEEL FOR EVERY MOTHER.

HOW MANY KIDS HAVE TO DIE?

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND LATINOS,

THEY DON'T MANUFACTURE-- THEY DON'T MAKE GUNS.

YOU KNOW, SO HOW ARE THEY GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY?

[MAN] FOLLOW THE MONEY TO FIGURE OUT

WHETHER THE INDUSTRY HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH

THE FLOOD OF GUNS THAT HITS OUR STREETS EVERY YEAR.

[MAN #2] SAYS BUSINESS HAS NEARLY DOUBLED SINCE THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

[MAN #3] GUN STOCKS HAVE BEEN DOING AMAZINGLY THIS YEAR.

THEY'VE GOT SOME OF THE BIGGEST PENSION FUNDS IN OUR COUNTRY.

[MAN #4] REALLY?

[CLARA] AND EVERY DAY, YOU TRY TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND YOU TURN ON THE TV AND YOU SEE YOUNG KIDS

THE AGE OF NINE-- YOU'RE BACK WHERE YOU STARTED.

[PAM] IT'S JUST CRAZY IN CHICAGO RIGHT NOW.

AND THE NRA, THEY DON'T CARE.

THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE THEIR MONEY.

[SIRENS WAILING]

THE PAIN IS NINE YEARS FOR US.

IT'LL BE TEN NEXT YEAR.

THE PAIN DO NOT CHANGE. IT DON'T GO AWAY.

YOU JUST LEARN HOW TO PUT YOUR FRONT FACE ON

AND KEEP IT MOVING.

WE WENT TO SPRINGFIELD AND WE WAS TALKING TO THE REPRESENTATIVES,

AND WE HAD TODD THERE FROM THE NRA

AND WE WAS EXPLAINING, YOU KNOW, OUR CHILD--

WE DON'T HAVE OUR BABIES, AND HE WAS LIKE,

"WELL, WE NEED MONEY. WE NEED JOBS, WE NEED MONEY."

SO I GET IT THAT THE NRA, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR CHILDREN LIVES.

THEY SCARE AMERICANS INTO SAYING

"OKAY, YOU BETTER GO BUY YOUR GUNS, BECAUSE YOU'RE GONNA

HAVE LAWS THAT'S GONNA KEEP GUNS OUT OF YOUR HANDS."

NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE. THEY KNOW IT'S NOT TRUE.

[REV. MICHAEL PFLEGER] WE'VE BEEN ASKING THEM FOREVER

TO BE A LITTLE MORE RESPONSIBLE,

LITTLE MORE RESTRICTIVE IN HOW THEY'RE SELLING OF GUNS,

AND THEY JUST IGNORE US, 'CAUSE IT'S A MONEY ISSUE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY.

AND THE VILLAGES REALLY HAVE LEFT THEM ALONE

BECAUSE IT'S A BIG TAX BASE.

CHUCK'S GUN SHOP WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST TAX REVENUES

IN THE VILLAGE OF RIVERDALE.

BEHIND ME, OVER MY SHOULDER, THAT'S CHUCK'S GUN SHOP.

IT IS SO CLOSE YOU CAN LITERALLY WALK FROM HERE

TO THE CHICAGO BORDER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO RIGHT NOW.

IN CHICAGO YOU CAN'T HAVE A GUN STORE,

BUT HERE ON THE OUTSIDE, IT'S LEGAL TO HAVE A GUN STORE.

LOT OF OUR GUNS THAT'S IN OUR CITY THAT'S KILLING OUR CHILDREN,

THAT'S COMING FROM THIS PARTICULAR STORE.

WE WANT TO HOLD THIS VILLAGE ACCOUNTABLE,

BECAUSE YOU ALLOW THESE GUNS TO TRAVEL INTO OUR COMMUNITY

SO THE VILLAGE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE.

[REV. PFLEGER] THEY'RE MAKING GREAT TAX REVENUE

FROM THESE GUN SHOPS.

[PAM] A LOT OF THESE GUNS ARE COMING

FROM THE WHITE COMMUNITY INTO THE BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS

AND OUR CHILDREN'S LIVES ARE BEING TAKEN.

IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD,

A CHICAGO COMMUNITY GROUP NOW IS SUING THREE SUBURBS

OVER THE SALE OF WEAPONS.

[PAM] THEY SUPPOSED TO PUT UP A CAMERA,

AND VIDEOTAPE THE PEOPLE THAT'S MAKING THE PURCHASES.

WHAT PEOPLE DO IS THEY'LL COME INTO A GUN STORE

AND PURCHASE A GUN, AND KNOWING THAT THEY PURCHASED IT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

SO WE NEED THEM TO TRAIN THE ATTENDANTS, TOO,

THAT'S SELLING THE GUNS, AND IDENTIFY

WHEN THE STRAW PURCHASE IS TAKING PLACE.

COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS WHO ARE PLAINTIFFS IN THIS LAWSUIT

ACCUSE THE VILLAGE OF LYONS AND TWO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES

OF CLOSING THEIR EYES TO SHADY PRACTICES BY GUN DEALERS,

SO THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM REVENUE BROUGHT INTO THEIR TOWNS BY THE GUN STORES.

[NEWSCASTER] THE LAWSUIT CALLS FOR THE VILLAGES

TO MANDATE EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND CHECKS,

PREVENT STRAW PURCHASES,

IMPLEMENT ANTI-THEFT MEASURES,

AND MAINTAIN A LOG OF GUN SALES

THAT ARE LATER RECOVERED FROM CHICAGO CRIME SCENES.

[TOM] WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS THAT MANY PEOPLE SUPPORT

THE MEASURES THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR.

THE TURNAROUND WAS IN THREE MONTHS.

I WAS SURPRISED THAT IT WENT THAT FAST,

SO, YOU KNOW, I'M GRATEFUL THAT THIS GUN SHOP

WANTS TO HELP US TO SAVE LIVES IN CHICAGO.

AND WE JUST WANTED TO COMMEND THE VILLAGE OF LYONS

FOR TAKING THE FIRST STEP IN THE LEAD IN THIS MISSION

TO REDUCE EASY ACCESS TO GUNS

TO INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE THEM.

YEAH, I BELIEVE IN ACTIVISM.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY.

[NEWSCASTER] THEY SHUT DOWN STATE STREET FOR A TIME,

MARCHING WITH A MESSAGE.

[PROTESTERS CHANTING] HO HO! THESE GUNS GOT TO GO!

STOP SELLING GUNS THAT KILL OUR KIDS!

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

THEY SHOULD WANT TO CHANGE THE LAWS.

I MEAN, EVERYTHING SHOULDN'T BE ABOUT MONEY.

-[MAN] WHAT DO YOU WANT? -[CROWD] PEACE!

-WHEN DO YOU WANT IT? -NOW!

-LOUDER! -NOW!

[KIDS] YOU MAY HEAR THEM CALL

AS THEY DRIVE OUT OF SIGHT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.

[KERRY'S MOM] KERRY WAS TWO MONTHS EARLY.

THEY DIDN'T GIVE HIM A WHOLE LOT OF HOPE,

AND HE JUST BLEW EVERYBODY AWAY.

[SARA'S MOM] SARA STARTED DANCING WHEN SHE WAS FOUR.

[KERRY'S DAD] HE HAD A SKIPPING PHASE,

WHERE HE JUST SKIPPED EVERYWHERE HE WENT.

[SARA'S MOM] SHE ALSO DID A LOT OF THEATER.

I THINK HER FIRST ROLE MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN "ANNIE."

SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL THAT SAID "OH, MY GOODNESS. OH, MY GOODNESS."

[CHUCKLES]

[KERRY'S MOM] KERRY WANTED COMIC BOOKS.

"THEY'RE NOT COMIC BOOKS, MOM, THEY'RE GRAPHIC NOVELS."

[SARA'S MOM] SHE WAS IN FIFTH OR SIXTH GRADE

WHEN SHE EXPRESSED HER REAL LOVE OF SCIENCE

AND RESEARCH FROM THAT EARLY ON.

[KERRY'S MOM] HE WAS THE SWEETEST LITTLE BOY IN THE WORLD.

I'M NOT SAYING HE WAS PERFECT, BUT HE WAS PRETTY DARN CLOSE.

BUT I AM THE MOTHER.

[SARA] I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT HIM BEFORE I MET HIM.

I REMEMBER NOTICING THAT HE WAS A GOOD-LOOKING GUY,

BECAUSE I HAVE EYES.

I DIDN'T ACTUALLY THINK OF DATING HIM,

BUT WE WERE REALLY GOOD FRIENDS THAT FIRST YEAR.

I REMEMBER TALKING TO A FRIEND OF MINE

AND SAYING "GOSH, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO MEET A DECENT GUY."

AND SHE WAS LIKE, "WELL, WE SHOULD JUST FIX EACH OTHER UP."

AND I WAS LIKE, "OH, YOU SHOULD GO OUT WITH THIS GUY I KNOW.

HE'S SUCH A SWEETHEART."

AND SHE LOOKED AT ME, AND SHE WAS LIKE,

"THAT WOULD BE POINTLESS."

AND I WAS LIKE, "WHY? HE'S GREAT.

YOU'RE GREAT. LIKE, WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?"

AND SHE WAS LIKE, "SARA, HE'S ALREADY IN LOVE WITH YOU."

AND I WAS LIKE, "NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE."

BUT SHE WAS RIGHT.

[KERRY'S DAD] WE STARTED HEARING MORE AND MORE ABOUT SARA.

BUT NOBODY WAS REALLY SERIOUS IN HIS LIFE UNTIL SARA.

LIKE, I THINK, A LOT OF FATHERS I WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICAL AT FIRST.

[SARA] KERRY WAS A BIG FLIRT.

LIKE, IT BOTHERED MY DAD WHEN HE FIRST MET HIM.

HE WAS LIKE, "I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS GUY.

HE DOESN'T SEEM SERIOUS ENOUGH."

FRIENDS OF HIS FROM HIGH SCHOOL WERE GETTING MARRIED,

SO WE WERE GOING TO ALBUQUERQUE.

I'VE NEVER BEEN TO NEW MEXICO.

WORST CASE SCENARIO, I SEE A NEW STATE.

BEST CASE SCENARIO, SOMETHING HAPPENS.

WE WENT TO THE WEDDING, AND THEN WE DROVE UP TO TAOS.

WE GOT UP THERE AND WE HIKED AROUND AND WE WENT TO DINNER.

IT WAS SUNSET IN THE DESERT WHICH IS GORGEOUS.

HE HAD ARRANGED FOR US TO STAY IN A TEEPEE.

AND WE WALKED UP TO IT, AND IT WAS GLOWING.

AND I THOUGHT, "WELL, THAT'S STRANGE."

HE PULLED BACK THE FLAP TO THE TEEPEE FOR ME,

AND I STEPPED IN.

THERE WERE ROSE PETALS AND CANDLES EVERYWHERE.

AND I TURNED AROUND AND I GASPED,

BECAUSE HE WAS DOWN ON ONE KNEE,

AND HE ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM, AND I BURST INTO TEARS,

AND SAID YES, AND THAT WAS HOW HE PROPOSED.

[SARA'S MOM] IT ENDED UP TO BE QUITE A LONG ENGAGEMENT.

SHE WAS IN SCHOOL AND KERRY WAS IN SCHOOL.

WE MET MY FIRST YEAR AT LAW SCHOOL.

LAW SCHOOL DOESN'T LEAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME FOR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

KERRY AND I WOULD GET TOGETHER FOR GEEK NIGHTS,

A SORT OF STRESS RELIEF DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

WE WOULD WATCH "STAR TREK," "BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER,"

"GALAXY QUEST," WE WATCHED THAT ONE.

HE HAD AN ENGAGEMENT RING THAT HE WORE

WITH SARA'S BIRTHSTONE IN IT.

THEY CLEARLY LOVED EACH OTHER AND THEY WERE EXCITED TO GET MARRIED.

I WANT TO GET MARRIED IN MY BACKYARD.

[SARA'S MOM] THE CATERER WAS GOING TO TAKE SOME RECIPES

THAT MY HUSBAND MAKES AND CREATE THOSE FOR A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

[KERRY'S MOM] I WORKED ON THE REHEARSAL DINNER.

[SARA'S MOM] WE FLATTENED OUR AN AREA FOR THE TENTS.

[KERRY'S MOM] SARA AND I WERE GOING

TO GO PICK FLOWERS AND GET HER BOUQUET READY.

[SARA'S MOM] SARA HAD PICKED OUT

A COUPLE OF FLAVORS OF THE CAKE.

[SARA'S DAD] THE INVITATIONS WERE DONE BY OUR CLOSE FRIEND.

THE HARDEST WE STRUGGLED ON ANYTHING WAS THE GUEST LIST.

I COME FROM A BIG FAMILY. KERRY COMES FROM A BIG FAMILY.

WE HAD OVER 100 PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S NO FRIENDS,

NONE OF OUR FRIENDS COMING TO OUR WEDDING.

WE WENT TO THE BRIDAL SHOP.

I REMEMBER THE COLORS ON THE DRESS SHE HAD WAS IVORY.

IT JUST PICKED UP THE COLORS IN HER HAIR.

AND SHE GLOWED.

IT WAS JUST...AMAZING.

AND SO I SAW MY DAUGHTER BEFORE SHE SAW HERSELF AS A BRIDE IN THAT DRESS.

SHE WAS JUST SO BEAUTIFUL.

[KERRY'S MOM] HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS IN HIS WRISTS,

AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A LOT OF TYPING

AND THINGS THAT HE WAS DOING FOR LAW SCHOOL.

THEN IT WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

[SARA] THE PAIN THAT HE WAS IN WAS NERVE PAIN

THAT WAS UNREMITTING,

AND NOBODY COULD TELL HIM WHAT WAS WRONG.

[KERRY'S MOM] HE HAD TO WEAR SWEAT PANTS.

HE COULDN'T OPERATE A ZIPPER.

HE COULDN'T OPERATE A SNAP.

HE HAD TO WEAR VELCRO SHOES.

[SARA] WAITING IS SOMETIMES THE HARDEST PART,

WHEN YOU'RE REALLY NOT FEELING WELL AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHY.

HE WAS JUST GOING TO FLY HOME TO ALBUQUERQUE

BECAUSE HIS DAD'S A DOCTOR.

IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE EASIER TO GET HIM TREATED.

[KERRY'S MOM] I REMEMBER HIM TALKING ABOUT DANCING AT THE WEDDING,

AND HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DANCE AT THE WEDDING.

AND SARA SAID, "I'LL DANCE WITH YOU IN A WHEELCHAIR.

IT DOESN'T MATTER TO ME."

THERE WAS TALK OF DOING SOME TREATMENT DOWN IN NEW MEXICO

AND THAT WAS PART OF THE REASON FOR GOING THERE DURING THE SUMMER.

WE WERE OVER AT HIS APARTMENT, LOADING UP THE MOVING VAN

WITH ALL HIS POSSESSIONS.

HE MENTIONED THAT WE MIGHT MEET UP FOR DINNER,

AND HAVE, YOU KNOW, A LAST MEAL AND THEN HE'D FLY OFF.

[SARA] AND HE CALLED HIS DAD FOR FATHER'S DAY.

HE WISHED ME A HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

AND MOST OF THE CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT

PLANNING TO PICK HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT,

SO I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING HIM AT THE AIRPORT.

[CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

[KERRY'S MOM] SARA EITHER CALLED OR TEXTED

AND ASKED IF I HAD HEARD FROM KERRY,

BECAUSE HE HADN'T ARRIVED ON HIS FLIGHT.

[SARA] IT WAS A LITTLE STRANGE THAT

HE WOULDN'T CALL ME BEFORE LEAVING,

BUT I THOUGHT, "WELL, MAYBE HE FIGURES

HE'LL JUST CALL ME FROM ALBUQUERQUE

AND THAT'D BE--" YOU KNOW, THAT WAS GONNA BE FINE.

[JORDON] DARCY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT KERRY MISSED HIS FLIGHT

AND NOBODY HAD HEARD FROM HIM SINCE THE NIGHT BEFORE.

[CELL PHONE BUZZING]

[KERRY'S MOM] I CALLED SARA AND I SAID,

"HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO REACH KERRY?"

I COULDN'T GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM.

ONE OF HIS FRIENDS WAS LIKE, "SARA, YOU SHOULD CALL THE HOSPITALS."

AND I CALLED THE AIRPORT INSTEAD,

BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CALL THE HOSPITAL,

BECAUSE I WANTED HIM TO BE AT THE AIRPORT.

[JORDON] YOU KNOW, MAYBE HE WOKE UP LATE

AND HAD TO RUN OFF TO THE AIRPORT

AND DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO CALL PEOPLE.

[DARCY] SO I TOLD JORDON I WAS ON MY WAY OVER TO KERRY'S PLACE

AND JORDON SAID THAT HE WOULD MEET ME OVER THERE.

WE WERE KNOCKING ON KERRY'S DOOR,

NOT GETTING ANY ANSWER.

[JORDON] THEN WE KIND OF WALKED AROUND THE APARTMENT,

LOOKED IN THE WINDOW.

[DARCY] YOU COULDN'T REALLY SEE OVER INTO THE BEDROOM.

WE CIRCLED AROUND THE OTHER SIDE,

AND WERE LOOKING IN THE LIVING ROOM.

[JORDON] THE BLINDS WERE CRACKED OPEN A LITTLE BIT,

AND I COULD SEE KERRY LAYING ON THE FLOOR.

[DARCY] AND I HEARD JORDON YELL, "I CAN SEE HIM,"

AND I CAME AROUND THE LIVING ROOM SIDE,

AND YOU COULD SEE KERRY'S FEET AND LEGS.

SO WE RAN OVER TO THE APARTMENT MANAGER'S

TO HAVE SOMEBODY LET US INTO THE APARTMENT.

THE MANAGER WENT IN AND JORDON WENT IN BEHIND HIM.

JORDON TOLD ME NOT TO GO IN.

THE LOOK ON JORDON'S FACE, HE WAS WHITE AS A SHEET.

[PHONE RINGING]

[PHONE RINGING]

[JORDON] I CALLED SARA.

HE SAID, "SARA, WE FOUND HIM, BUT...

AND HE JUST-- YOU KNOW, HE JUST STOPPED TALKING.

I SAID, "YOU HAVE-- YOU HAVE TO SAY IT."

AND HE SAID, "HE'S DEAD."

AND I THINK I SAID, "THANK YOU."

AND THEN I JUST STARTED SCREAMING, "NO."

OVER AND OVER,

TILL I COULDN'T-- SORRY.

TILL I COULDN'T ANYMORE.

[SARA'S MOM] MY PHONE RANG...

...AND IT WAS SARA AND SHE WAS HYSTERICAL.

SHE SAID, "MOM, HE'S GONE! HE'S GONE!"

SHE SAID, "KERRY'S GONE!"

AND SHE WAS SO FAR AWAY,

AND I COULDN'T BE THERE.

[SARA'S DAD] I WAS DOWN HERE WORKING...

I'LL NEVER FORGET IT.

AND, UM... SHE SAID,

"KERRY'S DEAD."

[LINE RINGING]

[DARCY] THEN I HEARD KERRY'S MOM SCREAMING IN THE BACKGROUND.

I KNEW THAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME IN TOWN THAT DAY,

AND SO WHEN SHE CALLED, I EXPECTED IT TO BE

"HE'S HERE, LET'S DO THIS."

I REMEMBER DRIVING TO MY PARENTS' HOUSE

ON THE WAY TO TALK TO THEM AND I KNEW AT THAT POINT

THAT SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER

BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

[BABY FUSSING]

SHE JUST SAID, "KERRY'S DEAD."

THAT WAS JUNE 24TH.

AND THAT'S...

A LITTLE LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE KERRY'S... EXCUSE ME.

HIS 28TH BIRTHDAY,

AND ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF...

BEFORE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET MARRIED.

I'M SORRY.

[KERRY'S DAD] WONDERED IF HE'D HAD SOME ACCIDENT,

OR IF SOMEBODY HAD BROKEN INTO HIS APARTMENT AND HE'D BEEN MURDERED.

I EXPECTED A CAR CRASH OR A PLANE CRASH OR SOMETHING.

[JORDON] I FIGURED MAYBE HE WAS SICK.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT WAS UNTIL THE POLICE

TOLD ME THAT HE'D SHOT HIMSELF THAT I WOULD'VE EVER BELIEVED IT.

AND I REMEMBER SAYING, LIKE, "ARE WE SURE?

ARE WE SURE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED?

LIKE, MAYBE SOMEBODY BROKE INTO HIS HOUSE,

AND MADE IT LOOK THAT WAY, BUT IT CAN'T BE THIS."

[KERRY'S MOM] IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.

IT DIDN'T FIT. IT WASN'T KERRY.

[MAN] I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

[DARCY] NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS

WOULD I HAVE SEEN KERRY DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

[BRANDON] MY PARENTS TOLD ME HE KILLED HIMSELF.

I JUST REMEMBER CRUMPLING TO THE FLOOR

OF MY MOM'S KITCHEN IN DISBELIEF.

NOBODY SAW IT COMING.

I REMEMBER ANOTHER ONE OF KERRY'S FRIENDS TELLING ME

THAT IS WAS, UH... THAT IT WAS A GUN.

HOW DID HE GET A GUN?

AND THEN I REALIZED, "THAT'S A REALLY STUPID QUESTION."

ANYBODY CAN GET A GUN.

HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL TO GET IT.

NOBODY BROKE ANY LAWS.

THERE WAS NO REASON, LEGALLY, WHY KERRY SHOULDN'T HAVE A GUN,

EXCEPT FOR THAT HE WAS IN EXTREME EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DISTRESS.

I GREW UP IN A RURAL COMMUNITY.

I GREW UP WITH PEOPLE WHERE HUNTING IS A WAY OF LIFE,

WHERE, YOU KNOW, KIDS GET THEIR FIRST GUN AT A YOUNG AGE.

AND EVERY RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER I KNOW

WILL TELL YOU THAT NOT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A GUN.

[KERRY'S MOM] I WAS SO ANGRY

AT HOW EASY IT IS TO GET A GUN.

[KERRY'S MOM] YOU HAVE TO GET A LICENSE FOR YOUR DOG.

YOU HAVE TO GET A TITLE TO HAVE A HOUSE.

CERTAINLY, SOMETHING THAT COULD KILL SOMEBODY

IN A SPLIT SECOND,

THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF REGULATION.

IF LETTUCE MAKES YOU SICK, YOU CAN SUE THE LETTUCE COMPANIES.

IF YOUR CAR DOESN'T WORK THE WAY IT SHOULD BE,

YOU CAN SUE CAR COMPANIES.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS HARMED BY A GUN,

YOU HAVE NO LEGAL RECOURSE,

BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY THEY WANT IT.

[KERRY'S DAD] JUST THE SAME AS IF THEY WERE A DISEASE,

GUNS SHOULD BE A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

IF I COULD HELP TO PREVENT ANYBODY ELSE--

FROM DOING THIS, I WANTED TO DO WHAT I COULD.

[SARA] THIS IS A MEDICAL ISSUE.

IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

THE PUBLIC ISN'T SAFE.

IT'S NOT JUST US. IT'S NOT JUST KERRY.

IT'S...

IT'S AN EPIDEMIC, REALLY.

[NEWSCASTER] A MAN LEGALLY BUYS A GUN

IN A PAWN SHOP IN OKLAHOMA CITY MONDAY MORNING.

MOMENTS LATER HE USED THAT VERY SAME GUN TO KILL HIMSELF.

[NEWSCASTER #2] BILLINGS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING AN SHOOTING

AT THE BILLINGS WEST END WALMART.

[NEWSCASTER #3] MATT WARREN COMMITTED SUICIDE.

[NEWSCASTER #4] POLICE BELIEVE HE SHOT AND KILLED HIMSELF.

[NEWSCASTER #5] TOOK HIS OWN LIFE IN 2008.

[NEWSCASTERS TALKING AT ONCE]

[NEWSCASTER #6] EVERY YEAR, GUN SUICIDES CONSISTENTLY OUTNUMBER

GUN HOMICIDES BY ABOUT 50%.

[SARA] SUICIDE IS AN IMPULSE.

IT'S A DECISION TAKEN IN A REALLY DIRE CIRCUMSTANCE

THAT ALMOST ALWAYS RESOLVES.

IF THERE HAD BEEN A WAITING PERIOD,

TWO DAYS, THREE DAYS?

ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE MISSING HIM

WHEN THEY COULDN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM WOULD'VE FOUND HIM.

[NEWSCASTER] LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE CONTEMPLATING A NEW LAW

THAT WOULD REQUIRE A 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD

TO FORCE PEOPLE TO QUOTE UNQUOTE,

"THINK BEFORE THEY INK."

IF HE HAD WAITED THREE DAYS...

HE'D BE HERE.

HE'D BE HERE.

[NEWSCASTER] STARTING TODAY,

THE ARIZONA MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION

WILL EXTEND THE WAITING PERIOD

BETWEEN DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST RETAKES.

IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THINGS SAFER ON ARIZONA STREETS,

THE DIVISION HAS CHANGED THE ONE-DAY WAIT TIME TO A FULL WEEK.

[KERRY'S MOM] THERE WAS A RECEIPT FOR THE GUN.

AND IT LOOKED LIKE HE PROBABLY HAD BOUGHT IT

LIKE, MAYBE AN HOUR BEFORE HE DID IT.

AND I KEPT THINKING, "IF HE'D JUST HAD A MOMENT TO THINK,

HE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS."

WAITING PERIODS ONLY INCONVENIENCE PEOPLE LIKE ME.

WHEN I GO SHOPPING, I DON'T WANT TO BE INCONVENIENCED.

I WANT WHAT I WANT, AND I'D LIKE IT NOW.

[SARA] YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE. YOU GET HELP.

AND GIVING PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO GET HELP

MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

GUN COMPANIES BENEFIT BY PEOPLE BEING ABLE

TO GO IN AND BUY A GUN WHENEVER THEY WANT IT,

RATHER THAN HAVING TO WAIT SEVERAL DAYS.

I HAVE OPPOSED WAITING PERIODS FOR GUN PURCHASES.

PROFIT IS THE DRIVING ISSUE IN ANYTHING,

AND IF THERE BECAME PROFIT IN GUN LEGISLATION

I'M SURE THAT POLITICS WOULD GET RIGHT BEHIND THAT ONE.

GUN COMPANIES WANT TO SELL GUNS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE IN BUSINESS TO DO,

AND THEY PROFIT ENORMOUSLY FROM THIS WHOLE BUSINESS.

I THINK A PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE IS THE DEATH OF THEIR CHILD...

AND UNFORTUNATELY GUNS ARE A MEANS OF THAT DEATH ALL TOO OFTEN.

I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GO BACK TO MY OFFICE.

I CAN'T WALK IN THAT PLACE.

I HAD TO RETIRE.

I TRIED BUT I COULDN'T.

YOU KNOW, THESE ARE DEADLY WEAPONS.

THEY'RE INHERENTLY UNSAFE.

THIS IS THE HARDEST THING I'VE EVER HAD TO DO.

MOST PEOPLE I KNOW DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT MY SON KILLING HIMSELF.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT,

BUT I DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO HAVE TO SUFFER LIKE THIS.

I JUST THINK PEOPLE NEED TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT,

AND LET THE LAWMAKERS KNOW HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT.

[SARA] IF I HAD BEEN THE ONE WHO DIED,

HE WOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED.

HE WOULD'VE SCREAMED HIMSELF HOARSE.

HE WOULDN'T HAVE--

HAVE LET THINGS CONTINUE AS THEY ARE.

AND SO, EVEN THOUGH I'M THE SHYER ONE,

I'M THE ONE WHO DOESN'T LIKE TO PUT HERSELF OUT THERE...

SOMETHING KERRY TAUGHT ME IS THAT WHEN SOMETHING'S WRONG, SAY IT'S WRONG,

AND IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT BETTER, YOU DO.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD IT IS,

YOU SHOULD STILL DO IT, SO...

[WAITRESS] I USUALLY WORK, LIKE, THE 10:00 TO 4:00 SHIFT,

THE OPENING OF THE RESTAURANT, SO I'M THE FIRST SERVER ON

TO GET EVERYTHING READY.

BEING NINE MONTHS PREGNANT, IT WAS EXHAUSTING,

BUT I PUSHED THROUGH, ESPECIALLY KNOWING

WE WERE GOING TO A MIDNIGHT SHOWING.

I JUST NEEDED TO MAKE MONEY.

SO I WORK FOR ALEXI TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT.

WE ARE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL.

I WAS WORKING THAT DAY.

[WAITRESS] I WENT TO GET PIZZA FOR EVERYBODY

FOR HELPING US MOVE INTO THE HOUSE.

AJ WENT TO MY BROTHER'S TO MOW HIS YARD TO MAKE MONEY

SO HE COULD GO TO THE MOVIE.

I'VE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR OVER 32 YEARS.

I COME HOME, SAID, "HEY, THANKS FOR MOWING THE YARD."

SHE SAYS, "WELL, YOU CAN THANK YOUR NEPHEW AJ,

HE CAME OVER AND MOWED IT."

I SAID, "WELL, HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY HIM?"

SHE SAYS, "$40.00." I SAID, "40 BUCKS?"

I'LL MOW IT FOR $40.00, FOR GOSH SAKES.

[LASAMOA CROSS] THAT NIGHT AT HULA,

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE WERE GONNA DANCE FIRE POI.

I MESSAGED HIM, LIKE, "COME OVER AND WATCH THIS, THIS IS SO COOL!"

[THERESA] HE SAID HE WAS GONNA GO WATCH HULA

BEFORE THEY WENT TO THE MOVIE,

SO I SAID, "ALL RIGHT!" YOU KNOW, "I LOVE YOU,"

AND THEN HE LEFT.

[WOMAN] IT WAS LIKE WE WERE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL.

WE WERE SO, SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS MOVIE.

[WOMAN] I WAS GOING THERE TO MEET MY FRIENDS FROM RED ROBIN,

AND I WAS BRINGING MY-- I BROUGHT MY TWO CHILDREN WITH ME.

[MAN] PICKED UP MY FRIEND RYAN.

FROM THERE WE DROVE TO THE THEATER.

[MAN] IT WAS JUST PACKED.

THERE WAS HARDLY ANY PLACE TO PARK.

[WOMAN] MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN, WE ARRIVED FAIRLY EARLY.

[GIRL] MY MOM ACTUALLY DROPPED MY SISTER AND I OFF.

OUR FRIENDS HAD ALREADY TOLD US, LIKE, "WE'RE ALREADY IN LINE.

THERE'S ALREADY A LINE FORMING, SO, LIKE,

MAKE YOUR WAY OVER HERE AS SOON AS YOU CAN."

AND YOU CAN TELL A LOT OF THEM ARE, LIKE, COMIC-CON REGULARS,

SO IT WAS REALLY EXCITING.

[BOY] WE BOUGHT THE BIG POPCORN AND THEN WE GOT A SODA.

WE ALWAYS GOT CHERRY COKE.

[MAN] WE HAD ALL OF OUR SNACKS.

WE WERE, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, PREPARED.

[GIRL] ...A VEGAN AT THE TIME,

BUT I DECIDED TO HAVE SOME FUN SO I HAD SOME NACHOS.

[MAN] WE GOT A HOT DOG, SOME POPCORN

[WOMAN] WE PICKED UP THE MOVIE TICKETS FROM THE DASHBOARD--

[WOMAN] OH, EVERYONE WAS SUPER PUMPED.

CLAPPING, LIKE SUPER READY FOR IT.

[MAN] SCREAMING, THROWING POPCORN.

[GIRL] THERE WAS A LOT OF CHEERING,

THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

[GIRL] THE HOUSE LIGHTS GO DOWN,

AND IT'S STARTING TO GET DARK.

[AUDIENCE CLAPPING]

[MAN] IT FINALLY STARTS,

AND I ACTUALLY REMEMBER HAVING TO SLOW MY BREATHING,

BECAUSE I WAS REALLY PUMPED UP AND EXCITED FOR WHAT WAS TO COME.

[WOMAN] I HEARD THE HISSING,

BURNING MY CHEST AND MY THROAT

JUST COMPLETELY CLOSED UP,

AND, LIKE, YOU COULDN'T EVEN SWALLOW.

[WOMAN] THERE WAS SMOKE EVERYWHERE.

THERE WAS TEAR GAS.

[GUNSHOT]

-[GUNSHOTS] -[SCREAMING]

-[GUNSHOTS] -[SCREAMING]

[VOICES OVERLAPPING]

[GUNSHOTS]

[INDISTINCT SCREAMING]

-[GUNSHOTS] -[SCREAMING]

[WOMAN] OH, HONEY.

OH, NO, NO, NO, DON'T SAY THAT.

HONEY, YOU JUST HANG ON, HANG ON.

[WOMAN, SOBBING] IT WAS THE MOST HORRIFIC THING I'VE EVER SEEN.

[SCREAMING]

-[GUNSHOTS] -[SCREAMING]

[WOMAN] IS THAT GUNSHOTS I HEAR?

-[GUNSHOTS] -[SCREAMING]

[WOMAN] OH, MY GOD, THERE'S BODIES EVERYWHERE.

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO HELP!

-[GUNSHOTS] -[VOICES OVERLAPPING]

[GUNSHOTS]

[GUNSHOTS]

-[GUNSHOTS] -[ALARM RINGING]

-[SCREAMING] -[SIRENS WAILING]

[MAN ON RADIO] UNIT 49,

ALL CARS COMING OUTSIDE OF THE PERIMETER AROUND THE ENTIRE MALL.

SET UP A PERIMETER AROUND THE ENTIRE MALL.

[VOICES OVERLAPPING]

[MAN] I GOT SHOT, I GOT HIT.

[911 OPERATOR] YOU WERE HIT?

DO NOT HANG UP. SIR, DO NOT HANG UP.

I NEED TO BRING AURORA ON THE PHONE.

-OKAY, DO NOT HANG UP. -[MAN] YES, MA'AM.

[BEEPING]

[SIRENS WAILING]

[MAN ON RADIO] DO WE HAVE GAS MASKS AVAILABLE?

[MAN] THERE WERE AMBULANCES FROM DIFFERENT COUNTIES,

THERE WAS POLICE OFFICERS.

[MAN ON RADIO] GET US SOME DAMN GAS MASKS FOR THEATER NINE.

WE CAN'T GET IN IT.

[MAN ON RADIO] TEAM, I GOT SEVEN DOWN IN THEATER NINE.

[BOY, SOBBING] THERE WAS, LIKE, SO MUCH BLOOD.

[MAN ON RADIO] TEAM 25, JUST NOTIFY ALL THE HOSPITALS

WE GOT PEOPLE COMING IN.

I'VE GOT A CHILD VICTIM.

I NEED RESCUE AT THE BACK DOOR OF THEATER NINE, NOW.

[NEWSCASTER] TO UPDATE YOU ON THE SITUATION

IF YOU'RE JUST NOW JOINING US,

AT LEAST 14 DEAD, 50 INJURED.

A LOT OF THOSE INJURIES ARE SEVERE.

[THERESA HOOVER] I WAS SLEEPING, OF COURSE.

AND THEN I HEAR SOMEBODY KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.

AND I OPENED IT UP AND IT WAS AJ'S FRIEND,

AND HE SAID, "YOU NEED TO TURN ON THE TV."

[PHONE RINGING]

[DAVE HOOVER] I WAS SLEEPING.

UH, PHONE RANG ABOUT 2:30.

AND IT'S THERESA, AND SHE'S SCREAMING ON THE PHONE.

SHE SAID, "I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS."

I SAID, "WHO? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

SHE SAID, "AJ." I SAID, "HE'S AT THE MOVIES."

SHE SAID, "NO, NO, NO. I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS."

SHE SAYS, "I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS. I CAN'T GET AHOLD OF HIM.

I SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

SHE SAID, "TURN THE TV ON."

[WAITRESS] WE JUST PULLED UP STRAIGHT TO THE EMERGENCY DOORS.

THEY SAW MY FACE ALL BLOODY, AND ME BEING PREGNANT,

AND BRYSON SAYING, "THERE WAS A SHOOTING AT THE THEATER.

WE NEED HELP. SHE'S PREGNANT."

[DAVE H.] WE WENT INTO THE GYMNASIUM,

AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THERE WAITING.

[LASAMOA CROSS] SO WE GO TO THE HIGH SCHOOL, AND I, UM--

YOU KNOW, WE WAIT, AND I SAW AN OFFICER WALK BY

WITH A LITTLE KID IN HIS ARMS.

[DAVE H.] LASAMOA, WHICH IS AJ'S GIRLFRIEND,

SHE, UH-- SHE STILL HAD AJ'S BLOOD ON HER WHEN WE SAW HER.

[WOMAN] WE GO TO THE CAFETERIA,

AND WE SLOWLY START WATCHING PEOPLE LEAVE.

[THERESA HOOVER] SO WE WAITED, AND WE WAITED AND WAITED AND WAITED.

[DAVE H.] THEY STARTED WHITTLING THIS CROWD DOWN

TO WHERE THERE WERE ONLY A FEW PEOPLE LEFT IN THE GYMNASIUM.

AND SO, WE STAYED THERE THE WHOLE 18 HOURS,

AND MY MOM AND DAD, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

AND MY SISTER-IN-LAWS...

THEY ALL CAME DOWN THERE.

[THERESA H.] 18 1/2 HOURS LATER IS WHEN THEY FINALLY TOLD US.

I STARTED SCREAMING, AND I SAT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR,

AND I JUST SCREAMED.

[DAVE H.] SHE COLLAPSED AT THAT POINT.

HAD TO CARRY HER PRETTY MUCH BACK TO--

BACK, JUST TAKE CARE OF HER.

IT WAS HEARTBREAKING.

YOU EVER HEARD A WOMAN CRY BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF A CHILD?

IT'S HORRIBLE.

IT'S AWFUL.

WHEN IT'S YOUR SISTER...

...IT MAKES IT WORSE.

NOBODY NEEDS TO BURY A CHILD IN THIS WAY...

IT HAD HORRIFIC AND DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON OUR FAMILY,

AND CONTINUE TO BE, AND WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF OUR FAMILY.

[GIRL] I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WOULD NEED

A HIGH-POWERED RIFLE LIKE THAT.

[MAN] HE COULD PUT OUT 100 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION

IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

DO YOU NEED THAT MANY ROUNDS?

I GUESS YOU DO IF YOU'RE GONNA GO KILL A LOT OF PEOPLE.

[WOMAN] THEY'RE NOT USED FOR ANYTHING

BUT KILLING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE

IN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF TIME.

[MAN] IF THEY HAD SOMETHING IN PLACE

WHERE A RED FLAG WOULD GO OFF WHEN YOU BUY X AMOUNT OF BULLETS

OR X AMOUNT OF GUNS, THEN MAYBE WE COULD'VE SAVED MORE PEOPLE.

[MAN] NOBODY SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS.

NOBODY SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS.

I WOULDN'T WISH THIS ON ANYONE,

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT'S BECOMING ALL TOO COMMON.

[NEWSCASTER] IN THE WAKE OF THE COLORADO SHOOTINGS,

AURORA RESIDENTS CAME TOGETHER TO PRAY,

TO WEEP, TO REMEMBER,

AND THEN THEY WENT AND BOUGHT GUNS.

[NEWSCASTER #2] GUN SALES RISE AFTER MASS SHOOTINGS.

IT HAPPENED AFTER THE SHOOTING RAMPAGE IN AURORA, COLORADO.

[NEWSCASTER #3] GUN SALES ARE RISING ACROSS THE COUNTRY

AND SO IS THE STOCK PRICE OF AMERICA'S BIGGEST GUN MAKERS.

THE NUMBERS ARE DRIVEN BY A BASIC EMOTION: FEAR.

[DAVE H.] FEAR SELLS.

THE FEAR IS SOLD IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I USE FIREARMS IN MY DAILY JOB,

AND I CAN TELL YOU THIS,

THESE GUYS ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY

EVERY TIME ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENS.

AND TO PRESERVE ALL OF OUR FREEDOMS,

WE MUST GET LARGER, WE MUST GET STRONGER,

GREATER IN FINANCIAL RESOURCES--

[DAVE H.] THESE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE NRA

ARE VERY GOOD ABOUT GIVING AWAY MONEY TO THESE INDIVIDUALS

IF THEY'LL FIGHT THEIR FIGHT FOR THEM.

THE PROPOSED ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN

IS A SINGULARLY INEFFECTIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THE ISSUE OF ASSAULT WEAPONS IS A PHONY.

IT'S PURELY EMOTIONAL AND DESIGNED TO DO NOTHING

BUT FRIGHTEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THERE WAS A BIG HUBBUB ABOUT ASSAULT-STYLE RIFLES,

AND ACTUALLY WHAT IT WAS WAS JUST THE COSMETIC LOOK OF THOSE GUNS.

[MIKE H.] YOU DON'T HUNT WITH AN AK-47.

YOU DON'T GO HUNTING WITH AN AR-15

UNLESS YOU'RE HUNTING HUMANS.

[MIKE H.] MY NEPHEW HAD THE RIGHT TO LIVE,

TO GROW AND TO BE A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG MAN, AND HE WAS.

BUT HE HAD THE RIGHT TO GET A JOB AND TO HAVE A FAMILY AND HAVE CHILDREN,

AND THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM HIM.

I LOVE YOU.

[KISS]

[WOMAN] SHE WENT TO A THEATER TO SEE A MOVIE,

AND WAS KILLED.

PEOPLE GO TO THEIR CHURCHES, AND THEY GET SLAUGHTERED.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE SHOULD BE STANDING FOR.

[THERESA H.] COLUMBINE DIDN'T NEED TO HAPPEN.

VIRGINIA TECH DIDN'T NEED TO HAPPEN.

AURORA DIDN'T NEED TO HAPPEN.

[MIKE H.] COLORADO STARTED WITH UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

ALMOST 700 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO FIREARMS.

THINK OF HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS THAT WE HAVE PREVENTED

FROM DOING SOMETHING STUPID.

THIS LEGISLATION IS SAVING LIVES.

IF ANYBODY CAN BE PREVENTED FROM GETTING THAT PHONE CALL

THAT I GOT FROM MY SISTER, IT'S WORTH IT.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES OVER THE YEARS, SO MANY KILLINGS,

AND FOR US JUST TO SAY WE'RE NOT GONNA DO ANYTHING IS UNACCEPTABLE.

YOU GOTTA STOP IT.

WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE.

WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOWARDS THIS COMMON GOAL OF STOPPING THE MADNESS.

TODAY'S THE DAY, AND NOW IS THE TIME.

GUNS KILL OVER 33,000 PEOPLE IN AMERICA EVERY YEAR.

WHILE THE GUN INDUSTRY MADE OVER $11 BILLION.

-WHY DON'T YOU JOIN ME-- -JOIN ME--

JOIN ME AND BRAVE NEW FILMS--

IN STOPPING THE NRA AND THE GUN LOBBY FROM MAKING A KILLING.

[MAN] THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS

AGREE WITH COMMON SENSE REFORMS,

BUT TOO MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

REMAIN IN THE POCKET OF THE GUN LOBBY

AND THAT HAS GOT TO CHANGE.

[CHEERS, APPLAUSE]

[WOMAN] IF WE USE THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE

AND IF WE USE THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE MAKE IN OTHER PROBLEMS,

HEY, WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. OF COURSE WE COULD.

[MAN] WHAT ABOUT THE FREEDOM FOR ALL OF US

TO LIVE IN AN AMERICA THAT'S NOT UNDER THE THREAT

OF GUN VIOLENCE EVERY SINGLE DAY?

WE CANNOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER TRAGEDY BEFORE WE ACT.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO STAND UP, TO TALK TO YOU FRIENDS,

TO BUILD AN ARMY OF ACTIVISTS

THAT SENDS THE MESSAGE ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER. THIS IS OUR MOVEMENT.

THIS IS OUR TIME.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING]