HARTFORD, Conn. (February 14, 2013)--Thousands of people turned out Thursday the Connecticut state Capitol to call on lawmakers to toughen gun laws in the wake of the December elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., that left 26 students and educators dead.

Capitol Police estimated that 5,500 people were participating in the rally organized by the group March for Change and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state legislators were among them.

Malloy told the crowd that the shooting has forever changed the public debate over guns and "we will not rest" until laws such as universal background checks are passed.

Organizer Nancy Lefkowitz said people's hearts are broken over the loss of 20 first-graders and six educators.

Jillian Soto, whose sister Victoria was among the teachers killed, predicts Connecticut will pass a comprehensive package of reforms.