President Obama’s spokesman, asked about gun control laws in the immediate aftermath of the Colorado shooting, expressed the need for “common sense” measures that protect Americans and their freedom.
“I would say as you know the president believes we need to take common sense measures that protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans while ensuring that those who should not have guns under existing laws do not get them,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said during the press gaggle en route to the nation’s capitol. “We’re making progress in that regard in terms of improving the volume and quality of information on background checks but I have nothing additional on that for you. This is obviously a recent event.”
Carney also told reporters that the White House does “not believe at this point there was an apparent nexis to terrorism.”
He added that Obama “mentioned to me how heavy his heart is, the pain he understands the parents and loved ones must be suffering.”
The press secretary was also visibly affected. The press pooler observed that Carney “briefly appeared to choke up” while talking about the shooting.
