If there was a failure to take appropriate action before the shootings, there must be accountability.

WHITEHOUSE: Weekly Address: Veterans Day and Fort Hood

In the days since the tragedy in Newtown, Americans from all over the country have called for action to deter mass shootings and reduce gun violence.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

But the mounting deaths and associated trauma from mass shootings should motivate us to take action to make needed reforms to our gun laws, focus law enforcement resources on combating illegal gun possession and invest in prevention initiatives proven to reduce gun violence.

CNN: Mass murder and powerful firearms

On Saturday, premieres in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles for Tom Cruise's new action film Reacher and Billy Crystal comedy Parental Guidance were postponed in light of the shootings.

BBC: TV episodes dropped after US shootings

He spoke Monday in Connecticut, the state where the Newtown shootings occurred, and Vice President Joe Biden made a similar call for action at the White House on Tuesday.

CNN: Reid to force a vote Thursday on debating gun proposals