A group cyclists will be traveling from Newtown to Washington, D.C. this weekend to support tougher laws aiming to prevent gun violence.

Members of Team 26 say they will be delivering petitions with thousands of signatures in support of gun violence prevention to the Senate and House of Representatives next week. The group named itself Team 26 after the 26 students and teachers killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School more than three years ago.

Organizers of the ride are working with Democratic Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who says she wants Congress to pass a law requiring the name of every gun buyer to be run through a list to ensure that person is not a felon, domestic abuser or mentally ill.

Esty says the bill has been waiting for more than three years because Congress members will not bring it up for a vote, and those members are afraid of losing support from gun activists.

Team 26 founder Monte Frank says he uses the tragedy at Sandy Hook as his inspiration to continue the ride, now in its fourth year. He'll be making stops in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states to spread his message.

Opponents of tougher gun control laws say weapons make society safer because criminals would be dissuaded from victimizing others who could be armed.

Team 26 will meet at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Edmond Town Hall in Newtown before embarking for Washington.