A petition on the White House’s ‘We the People’ Web site seeking tougher firearm restrictions has gathered more than 138,000 signatures in the two days since it was launched, making it the most popular petition ever posted to the site. The petition was filed after the tragic shooting and mass murder of 20 children and seven adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newton, Conn., on Dec. 14.

“Powerful lobbying groups allow the ownership of guns to reach beyond the Constitution’s intended purpose of the right to bear arms,” the petition continues. “Therefore, Congress must act on what is stated law, and face the reality that access to firearms reaches beyond what the Second Amendment intends to achieve.”

All petitions on We the People receiving more than 25,000 signatures are guaranteed a response form the Obama administration, which has already pledged to take meaningful action to prevent future shooting tragedies.

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Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

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