The move was done to "to deliver a strong and visible statement of frustration and anguish about our country's inability to come to terms with the scourge of guns," Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger said Friday.

"The front page remains an incredibly strong and powerful way to surface issues that demand attention, and what issue is more important than our nation's failure to protect its citizens?" he said.

Click here to read the full piece and click here for more on the editorial announcement.