New York City mayor renews call for stricter gun control after Newtown shooting

Local resident Jaeger Andrea holds a candle cup near Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a gunman opened fire on school children and staff in Newtown, Connecticut, Dec. 15, 2012. Xinhua/Wang Lei.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Monday renewed his call urgingPresident Barack Obama and Congress to impose tougher restrictions on guns following a horrific shooting rampage an elementary school in Newtown, the U.S. state of Connecticut, Friday, which left 28 people dead, including 20 children aged 6 to 7.

Mayor Bloomberg was joined by 34 supporters from all over the country as he reiterated the necessity of stricter gun control in the press room of New York City Hall.

Obama made a special trip to Newton and attended a memorial service held there Sunday for the 27 victims, pledging to "use whatever power this office holds" to stop massacres like the slaughter at the Newton school.

"Being the Consoler-In-Chief is part of his job, but his main job is being commander-in-chief,"commented Bloomberg, an ardent advocate for gun control. "I endorsed him because he said he believes in rational use of guns in this country, and I expect him to do exactly that."