Families in Sandy Hook say having the Democrats take control of Congress Wednesday could be a game-changer for gun control laws.

Twenty children were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012. Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son Daniel was among the victims, is the co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise.

Barden convinced lawmakers to pass sweeping gun control laws that include a ban on AR-15 rifles and bump stocks. Connecticut also limits magazine sizes and requires a background check for all gun sales. However, all of those measures failed in Congress.

News 12 asked Sen. Chris Murphy whether he thinks gun laws will change with Democrats in charge and he responded saying, "It does change."

Sen. Murphy thinks this is the year with Democrats taking control of the White House and Congress.

"While it won't be the number one, two, or three thing given all the other crises happening, we're going to have a chance to debate universal background checks," says Sen. Murphy. "I think it's going to pass."

Murphy also wants a national Red Flag Law where police can seize weapons from potentially dangerous people.

Connecticut Citizens Defense League is one of the state's biggest gun rights groups. Members worry about abuse of such a law.

"One of the concerns we had and what we've seen in the past is what somebody's rights are if they are accused," says Holly Sullivan, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League. "Is it simply just taking it away from them or do they have the opportunity to go before a judge?"

When asked by News 12 about what to say to gun owners who may be nervous, Barden responded saying, "If you identify as a responsible firearms owner, you don't want to share that right with terrorists."

News 12 will take a deep dive into gun control in 2021 on this weekend's Connecticut Power & Politics show.