HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says President Barack Obama's reference in his inauguration speech to the murders of 20 children and six educators in Newtown could spur changes in federal gun law.

Blumenthal told The Associated Press on Monday that the image and symbol of the Dec. 14 shooting deaths in the president's speech will be a ``motivating force'' to pass new laws.

Obama said America's journey is not complete until all children from Detroit to Appalachia to ``the quiet lanes of Newtown'' know they are cared for, cherished and safe from harm.

Blumenthal, a Democrat, said Obama's reference to Newtown is valuable because he has given only two inaugural speeches and every sentence counts.

Obama is proposing a ban on military-style assault weapons, limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring background checks for all gun buyers.