Western Connecticut joined the rest of the nation Thursday in honoring the 17 lives lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida one year ago.

People not only packed First Church of Fairfield to remember those lives lost, but to also push for change.

MORE: Vigil at Fairfield church remembers Parkland victims 1 year later

Community members, state and local leaders, and members of organizations like Connecticut Against Gun Violence and Newtown Action Alliance, all joined together.

Following the tragedy at Sandy Hook, Connecticut now has some of the strictest gun laws in the country.

People who attended are hoping the state will lead by example.  Connecticut Against Gun Violence's executive director says the state must continue to pass common-sense gun laws.

"We have to show the rest of the country that these laws work. This isn't about individual rights being taken away, this is about safety," said Jeremy Stein.

He made mention of the Safe Storage bill that state lawmakers have proposed this legislative session.