HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Hillary Clinton says the bipartisan gun control legislation passed in Connecticut after the Newtown school shooting massacre should be a model for the nation.

The Democratic presidential candidate said Thursday that she understands it was challenging for the state to pass legislation expanding an assault weapons ban and barring large-capacity ammunition magazines, among other changes.

She acknowledged she wasn't in Connecticut to make promises that she can't keep. But she vowed to make sure the gun issue cannot be ignored.

Clinton was joined by family members of gun violence victims, including the daughter of the principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School who died along with 20 first-graders and five other educators in 2012.

Erica Smegielski says mass shootings are the minority and focus is needed on the everyday gun violence.