BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- During President Obama's speech on executive action on gun control, he mentioned a mass shooting that took place in Binghamton.
"It wasn't the first time I had to talk to the nation in response to a mass shooting nor would it be the last: Fort Hood, Binghamton."
One of the mass shootings mentioned by President Obama happened a little more than 50 miles north of Scranton in 2009. A gunman opened fire at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York, killing 13.
"It makes me replay what had happened and I feel sad about it."
Goretti Mugambwa wasn't working at the association when gunman Jiverly Wong took his own life and the lives of many others, but she remembers the day like it was yesterday. She applauds the president for taking action and remembering what happened nearly seven years ago.
"It really makes me feel like someone is listening."
People at the American Civic Association tell us even though hearing President Obama mention what happened in 2009 opened up some old wounds, they are relieved to know that something may be done about mental health and gun control.
Luis Gonzales has lived in the city since 1991. He remembers waking up to the news of the mass shooting. He tells us he doesn't think every mass shooting can be prevented, but it's nice to finally see top officials trying.
"It's bad. I'm glad he mentioned us. I know you can only do so much and I'm glad that he is trying," Gonzales said.
But one woman we met in Binghamton thinks the president's speech is just talk and she believes if more people had guns, the Binghamton shooter might have been stopped.
"If he knew that there were going to be people resisting him, I think he would have given it a second thought, and I think many others would be avoided because of it," said Catherine Maczko of Vestal.
Others told us all they can do is wait to see if the president's actions will actually help prevent tragedies like what happened in Binghamton in April of 2009.