LIVE BLOG: Obama Talks Gun Control Policy
Obama: I’ve been dealing with economic crisis, auto industry on verge of collapse, two wars … I haven’t been on vacation. This is a wake up call for all of us.
Reporter: You didn’t talk about gun policy in 2008. Where have you been?
Obama: We need a thoughtful approach that says we can preserve 2nd Amendment, responsible gun owners can carry out their activity, but we’re going to be serious about safety issues.
Obama: Any single gun law can’t solve these issues. We have to look at a lot of things.
Obama: NRA is an organization that had members who are mothers and fathers. Hopefully, they’ll do some self-reflection.
Obama: Joe (Biden) will sift through every good idea out there, come up with concrete set of expectations within a month.
Obama: Gun agency not a commission.
Reporter to Obama: What is your next move? Obama: I’ll reach out to speaker and find out what the hold up is.
Obama still speaking on fiscal cliff, taxes and debt reduction.
Obama on fiscal cliff: “I have gone at least halfway in meeting some of the Republicans’ concerns”
Obama: This requires help of American people.
Obama: We can’t prevent all acts of violence, but we have to try.
Obama: We can’t accept these acts of violence as routine.
Obama cites several examples of gun violence across the country.
Obama: Look, like the majority of Americans, 2nd amendment gives right to bear arms. Vast majority of gun owners are responsible, but, you know what? I’m also betting a majority of owners think policy is necessary to prevent irresponsible owners.
Obama announces Biden as leader of agency to develop gun policy.
Obama: There’s no law, or set of laws that can prevent every act of violence.
Obama: We need to reduce epidemic of gun violence in this country.
Obama on Connecticut: We may never know why this tragedy happened.
Press conference concludes.