The father of a young boy killed in the Newtown school shooting and who is now at the center of the nation's gun control debate will be in attendance at the president's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Last week, Mark Barden helped President Barack Obama announce controversial gun control measures. The president said in a speech that Barden was instrumental in his decision to order sweeping changes on gun purchases.

Barden's son, Daniel, was 7 years old when he was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School just over three years ago.

Barden founded the group Sandy Hook Promise, which has been pushing for the new background checks on all gun purchases, including those online and at gun shows.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was also invited to attend the address.