It's the PSA that's grabbed national attention.

The Sandy Hook Promise commercial shows kids back to school, but using everyday supplies to defend themselves in a mass shooting situation. 

“It's literally a punch in the gut I would say,” said Syracuse resident Shannon Mouillesseaux. “It was extremely hard to hear, but it was extremely critical. I think it's the reality having kids armed with cell phones to be able to make calls when necessary and using literally whatever they have at their disposal to be able to survive.”

Mouillesseaux has a 5-year-old daughter and already she's teaching her responses in mass shooting situations. 

"What do you do in that situation in terms of listening to your teacher and also following your gut? I would tell her, ‘If you have to run out of your school and run in the street all the way home, you do that,’" said Mouillesseaux.

Wacheva Dance Studio Owner, Biboti Ouikahilo, saw the PSA as well.

"As an African man who came from a different country where there's shootings anytime, then to be in the U.S. where the kids are not safe in the schools where they should go to learn, I think for me is really scary," said Ouikahilo.

Last year, Utica College had its own scare when it shut down for several hours after receiving threats. Utica College student Timothy O’Connor caught it on video.

"We took a couple of active shooter class type situations. That taught me a lot too. During an active shooter situation, you do what you've got to do to survive," said O'Connor. "It was really moving to be honest because I didn't think like a message like that would even be able to be portrayed. It made me feel like what could have actually happened."

"Parents are now being encouraged and schools as well to teach kids how to respond to these situations rather than looking at the underlying issue which is at a political and much higher level," said Mouillesseaux.

"People should stand up and say, 'Enough is enough,'" said Ouikahilo.