First Lady Michelle Obama returned to her murder-plagued hometown Wednesday to make an emotional plea for strengthening US gun laws, saying she too could have been a victim of brutal street violence while growing up. Making a rare direct foray into the domestic policy debate, Obama held back tears as she recalled a young black Chicagoan named Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot dead one week after performing in President Barack Obama's inauguration in January. As she urged lawmakers and city officials to find constructive ways to combat youth bloodshed, Mrs. Obama mentioned how, when attending the 15-year-old's funeral with the...