Captions paid for by Nbcuniversal Television 6 captions paid for by Nbcuniversal Television good evening. Four days now since the tragedy that altered our entire country. The gun lobby has spoken its first words on the subject. The National Rifle association, the nra, which is routinely referred to as the most powerful grassroots lobbying organization in this country, has been silent. They said today out of respect for the victims. Ever since a troubled young man with four firearms took 28 lives, including his own, 20 of them little children at an Elementary School in newtown, connecticut. Along with mental health, the gun control debate has come roar into the american conversation. And in addition to their statement tonight, the nras promising to say more in a News Conference at the end of the week. Its all where we begin tonight with nbcs tom costello in washington. Tom, good evening. Reporter hi, brian. The white house today said president obama supports senator feinsteins proposed bill that would ban assault weapons and high capacity ammo clips. Tonight gun control advocates think they have the momentum, but nra is now weighing in. Four days after the newtown massacre, the nra today broke its silence in a statement saying its made up of 4 million moms and dads, sons and daughters who are shocked, saddened and heart broken by the murders in newtown. It says its prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again. Talk of new gun regulations has got gun store cash registers ringing in alabama. People who feel insecure about their surroundings and about the future are purchasing weapons. Reporter in oklahoma. Wanting to take care of themselves. Taking care of their own safety, the safety of their families. Reporter at a gun range in virginia, tim was shooting a mini 14. He opposes an assault weapons ban. Why should i be punished when i like to hunt, shoot recreational, bring my family to the range and so forth. Reporter today the Investment Firm with a controlling stake in the company that makes the bushmaster rifle says its selling the company as a watershed event. Dicks Sporting Goods also said it will suspend selling militarystyle weapons. While in washington. My little brother derek was rid upped with bullets on september 8, 2001 in sacramento, california. Reporter the families of gun violence victims were on capitol hill. Our daughter jessica was killed in aurora on july 20th of this year. Reporter demanding new gun regulations. Calling the massacre a tipping point, the mayors of the nations biggest cities today issued an open letter calling on congress and the president to ban assault weapons and highcapacity magazines. And to strengthen the National Background check system, eliminating gun show loopholes. The nations Largest Police union also came out in support of a new assault weapons ban. But while some influential democrats are speaking out in support of a gun law, today the first signs of opposition from republicans. We did have an assault weapons ban for ten years. The crime rate was going down before it. The crime rate when it was lifted continued to go down. Reporter the nra is promising a News Conference on friday. Meanwhile in michigan, the republican governor today vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons at churches and at schools. Brian . Tom costello our d. C. News room. Meanwhile in newtown, four days now after this tragedy at the Elementary School, this was the day the rest of the town schools reopened. And kids returned to class, even as others were being laid to rest. Nbcs Anne Thompson remains in newtown for us tonight. Anne, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian. You know the biggest difference at school today was police presence. At holly Elementary School, officers stopped each and every car and spoke to the parents and students inside. And at each school there was a team of counsellors helping students deal with their grief and fear. The reopening of newtown schools an act of faith and resolve. Whether you wait a day a month or whatever. Theres no theres no rule book. Reporter determination quickly tested as a threat to one Elementary School forced it into lockdown before students even arrived. The sight of the massacre at sandy hook Elementary School remained closed. Moving vans carrying furniture and equipment left under a police escort, headed for the schools new building in neighboring monroe. At newtowns catholic church, two funerals today. James mattioli, the first grader who loved to sing loudly, a mini version of his dad. His favorite classes were math and recess. 6yearold Jessica Rekos loved learning about orcas, writing and being a big sister to her brothers travis and shane. On this day of funerals we heard how gene rosens antique house was a refuge for six first graders friday morning. Right there by the post lantern. They were just sitting reporter four girls and two boys crying and out of breath, having come from the school 100 yards away. What do you say to them . I said its okay its okay. Come on with me. Come on up. Reporter inside the retired psychologist gave them toys. And the children started talking. The two boys just start crying and saying, we cant go back to school. We cant go back to school. Mrs. Soto, our teacher, we dont have a teacher. We cant go back to school. Mrs. Soto is dead. Reporter steve smiths granddaughter was in vickie sotos class and went to rosens house. His heroes are the teachers. Whatever actions they took that diverted attention im sure. Theyre the ones that are responsible for her being here with us today. Reporter now tonight there is still no word on when the relocad sandy hook Elementary School will reopen, in part because there is still so much more mourning to do. Tomorrow three wakes and four funerals are scheduled. Brian . Unbelievable. Anne thompson in newtown, connecticut tonight. Thanks. What happened there at sandy hook Elementary School in newtown is sadly so similar to what happened in a small town a long way away from here in scotland, almost 17 years ago. The people there more than most know what newtown is going through and what may lie ahead for them. Tons nbcs keir simmons reports from the town of dunblane. Reporter in dunblane tonight they are lighting candles for the children of newtown. And for their own. 16 children, ages 5 and 6, and their Elementary School teacher killed in 1996 by a heavilyarmed gunman who then killed himself. The security and innocence of a scottish village was shattered in the most horrifying fashion. Reporter the local priest found himself burying children he had baptized. And then theres this awful void. What happens now . Reporter dunblane, like newtown, is a tightknit community. Everybody knows each other here. And even after almost 17 years, many are reticent to talk about what happened. It is still that painful. Mick nawes lost his daughter sophie. We found that we could say things in front of the other families that we just couldnt say even to our closest friends, even to our closest relatives. Reporter steve bernie runs a Community Center started with donations that poured in after the shooting. His son was injured that day. All we could do with our kids was to just be open and answer the questions as honestly and as straightforwardly as you can. Reporter people here pulled together. And the country responded, strengthening already tough gun laws. There was a strong will amongst the population to do it. And there were enough politicians who wanted to do something. Reporter dunblane learned that it could survive even this. There will be a future. And there is hope. Reporter and the condolences to the people of newtown, one unmistakable message. We are with you. Keir simmons, nbc news, dunblane, scotland. Back in the news socalled fiscal cliff 14 days away now. We keep hearing theres been movement between democrats and republicans, largely because the president seems to be budging on the question of who is rich, who will pay higher taxes. Chuck todd at the white house for us tonight with more on that. Chuck, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian. Two steps forward, one step back. Thats about the best way to describe the current talks between the white house and house republicans. The president and Speaker Boehner have never been closer to a deal. Thanks to major concessions in the last 48 hours. And with the nation still mourning the tragedy in connecticut, both sides admit the tone of the negotiations has changed. An event like that, as tragic as it is, brings us a little closer together. Its not a time to put americans through more stress. Reporter backing away from longstanding pledge to not raise any tax rates, boehner is now offering a deal that would raise rates on americans making more than 1 million. President obamas counter offer raises rates on incomes over 400,000. A big change from his Campaign Pledge for higher taxes on those making more than 250,000. Another big concession, the president has offered lower costs of living adjustments for social security, a major savings for the federal government. Today on capitol hill, progressive groups protested that idea. Meanwhile, some conservatives dont like boehners concession on tax rates. Once you cross that line and say like some people its okay for some peoples taxes to down, i think its a mistake for the republican party. Reporter meanwhile boehner said he is moving ahead with what he called plan b should the white house talks fall apart. Having a back up plan to make sure that as few american taxpayers are affected by this increase as possible. Reporter boehners plan b, simply raising rates on incomes over 1 million while postponing a larger debate on mandatory spending cuts was dismissed out of hand by democrats, even by one who just last year championed the same concept. Its a tactic, but is not a serious proposal. Reporter aides close to the talks on both sides of pennsylvania avenue, brian, say they are this close to a deal that can come together maybe within the next few hours or 24 hours, but were also this close to the whole thing falling apart. Thats how precarious things are right now. And so it goes in washington. Chuck todd from the white house lawn tonight, chuck, thanks. Still ahead for us, our own Richard Engel and his crew released from days of captivity now safe. 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Now to what we havent been able to share with you over these past five very tense days. Our chief Foreign CorrespondentRichard Engel and our crew covering the war in syria disappeared off the radar late last week when his report from alepo aired on tape on this broadcast last thursday night, he had already been grabbed and we didnt know it. Suffice to say that set off days of frantic efforts to secure their release. Fortunately, just before we went on the air last night, we heard richards voice for the first time in days. Finally after a harrowing drive across the border, they gained their freedom. And now the three of them, Richard Engel, producer ghazghazi l ghazi balkis and veteran cameraman john koistra appeared on today even then did we learn how they had been treated. We were driving in syria, about five days ago, in what we thought was a rebelcontrolled area. We were with some of the rebels. As we were moving down the road a group of gunmen literally jumped out of trees and bushes on the side of the road. Probably 15 gunmen, wearing ski masks, heavily armed. They dragged us out of the car. They had a container truck positioned waiting by the side of the road. They put us into that container truck. We were with some gunmen, some rebels who were escorting us. They executed one of them on the spot. Then they took us to a series of safe houses and interrogation places. And they kept us blindfolded, bound. We werent physically beaten or tortured. It was a lot of psychological torture. Threats of being killed. They made us choose which one of us would be shot first. And when we refused there were mock shootings. It can be very traumatic experience. And at the end of this, we were being moved to yet another location in the around 11 00 last night local time. And as we were moving along the road, the kidnappers came across a rebel checkpoint, something they hadnt expected. So we were in the back of what you would think of as a minivan. As we were driving along the road, the kidnappers saw this checkpoint, started a gun fight with it. Two of the kidnappers were killed. We climbed out of the vehicle and the rebels took us. We spent the night with them. We didnt get much sleep. Were very happy to be here. Were in good health. Were okay. Everyone was great. Nbc was fantastic in informing our families and keeping people uptodate, keeping the story quiet. But while were obviously very happy, there are many people who are still not at liberty to do this kind of thing. Theyre still hostages. There are still people who dont have their freedom inside syria. I know you are all very experienced. But i wonder how you are feeling this morning, how youre doing and how youre processing what must have been an absolutely terrifying experience. Ive worked with those guys for a long time in harsh environments. And we get each other very well. We work with each other very well. Im glad to be captured with them. We keep each others spirits up. Moving was the hardest part. It was disconcerting to move blindfolded from house to house. You think theyre going to taking you outside you dont know. We werent allowed to speak. But if you sort of look kind of peek underneath the blindfold you can see if maybe theres a guard in the room or not. And we tried to joke a little bit back and forth and keep our spirits up. Will richard, john and ghazi, we are profoundly grateful to see you this morning. I think we can just take a moment and say how beloved you are by this organization and how thankful we are that youre here with us. Savannah spoke for all of us there. We are all so happy to know theyre safe. These are our friends and coworkers, all combat zone veterans. Weve all worked together in some tough places. Ghazi, richard, john. And we should explain the reason secrecy was important here, the reason we couldnt share the fact that this was going on until it was resolved was to deprive their captors of the knowledge of the value of the prisoners they had. Secrecy was in this case a life and death matter. And by the way, richard believes their captors were a proassad, prosyrian government militia. So well take a break. When we come back, the gathering storm that could make a mark on Holiday Travel in this country. But with advair, im breathing better. So now i can be in the scene. Advair is clinically proven to help significantly improve lung function. Unlike most copd medications, advair contains both an antiinflammatory and a longacting bronchodilator working together to help improve your lung function all day. Advair wont replace fastacting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be used more than twice a day. People with copd taking advair may have a higher chance of pneumonia. 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For many, prescription nexium not only provides 24hour heartburn relief, but can also help heal acidrelated erosions in the lining of your esophagus. There is risk of bone fracture and low magnesium levels. Side effects may include headache, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Call your doctor right away if you have persistent diarrhea. Other serious stomach conditions may exist. Dont take nexium if you take clopidogrel. Let your doctor do his job. And you do yours. Ask if nexium is right for you. If you cant afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. A big heads up tonight for folks across a huge stretch of this country. Some major Winter Weather is on the move as a lot of people of course get ready to be on the move themselves. Serious snowstorm moving through the rockies tonight, heading east across the plains, midwest, then it will be felt in the northeast this weekend. Already the National Weather service has issued winter storm warnings and watches for 19 out of the 50 states. While tonight the folks in the Pacific Northwest are digging out from their strongest storm of the season so far. Vermonts longtime democratic senator Patrick Leahy is now third in line for the u. S. Presidency as the longestserving democrat now in the senate he was sworn in today as president pro tem by Vice President biden after the death just yesterday of senator daniel inouye, a world war ii hero, recipient of the medal of honor, a veteran Public Servant who represented hawaii from its very first day as a state. In case you missed the 121212 concert for the victims of sandy last week, six hours of music from the largest collection of rock Music Artists ever assembled in the modern era. Its now up for sale on itunes and every penny raised from the music goes to the storm victims through the robin hood foundation. Up next here tonight, good deeds making a difference around the world and everyones joining in. A difference around the world and everyones joining in. [ laughter ] [ male announcer ] for tim and richard smucker, giving a gift of their familys delicious jam always made the holidays just a little bit sweeter. We forgot to put our names on them richard, i think theyll know who its from. Thank you boys. Youre welcome. Youre welcome. [ male announcer ] happy holidays from our family to yours. I love christmas [ coughs ] [ baby crying ] [ male announcer ] robitussin® liquid formula soothes your throat on contact and the active ingredient relieves your cough. Robitussin®. Dont suffer the coughequences™. But we can still help you see your big picture. With the fidelity guided portfolio summary, you choose which accounts to track and use fidelitys analytics to spot trends, gain insights, and figure out what you want to do next. All in one place. 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Imagine if everybody committed to an act of kindness as a way of honoring the 20 children and six teachers whose lives were lost in newtown, connecticut. What she wrote on twitter took off. Tonight ann reports on the overwhelming response that has made a difference of its own. Reporter sparked by a simple idea the twitter 26acts and 20acts are now igniting a a movement of kindness. People doing deeds big and small to honor the lives of the victims in newtown. The entire country is overwhelmed by great sadness. Theres many of us who wish we could do more. Reporter in california, kelly took her 11yearold son nicholas shopping for toys for less fortunate kids. Buying one in memory of each child who died. Shes among tens of thousands of americans who are tweeting im in acts of kindness ranging from buying a stranger coffee to leaving gift cards on peoples windshields anonymously, to making it a point to reach out to lonely classmates in schools. In chicago, jake riley is working on a second act of kindness in two days. Nice to meet you. Reporter stopping on his way home from work to donate a care package he made for the homeless. I thought that was a really good way to push back against the hate, with kindness. Oh, check this one out. Reporter in Atlanta Cindy pitts and nina sonsini are trying to collect enough teddy bear force alled children in sandy hook Elementary School. It has just been accumulating. The support from all over the community. Friends from everywhere. Reporter at Success Tech Academy in cleveland, teachers put up a wall of kindness. Students have been adding to it so fast its almost full. We were able to reach our 26 acts within the first day the wall was posted. Reporter the movement is now spreading overseas. Russia, south africa and finland. People embracing the idea that the spirit of those lost in sandy hook Elementary School endaughters and that some good can come out of something even this bad. Ann curry, nbc news. New york. And that is our broadcast on a tuesday night. Thank you for being here with us. Im brian williams. And we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. Good night