The challenges have been both physical and emotional, with the emotional hurdles being the ones that are sometimes the harder ones, to deal with, he said.

"Sometimes you've just had it," Hanson said. "You have to give that some credence and let it go."

The toll such a tragedy can take on a victim's family can be equally as hard and sometimes gets overshadowed, he said.

Hanson told the group gathered at the Midvale Police Station that society is becoming more numb to violence.

"It's just insane. We're becoming uncivilized," he said. "No one can tell me we don't need to change our gun laws. ... It's obvious there needs to be stronger gun laws, not only in this state, but in the country. It's gotta happen today. It's gotta happen now in a strong way."

Hanson said the worst thing people can do "is to throw up your hands and do nothing."

After Hanson addressed the group, daffodil bulbs were planted in front of the police station.

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