Politicians Use Murder of Journalists to Push for Gun Control

ashley.rae | August 26, 2015
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The White House capitalized on the murder of two journalists during a live broadcast in order to push for gun control.

During a White House press briefing this afternoon, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters he “did not have the opportunity” to speak to President Obama about the shooting. However, “Obviously, the thoughts and prayers of everybody here at the White House are with the families of those who were injured or killed in that terrible incident.”

Earnest continued the press briefing with a discussion of gun control: “The precise details of that incident continue to be under investigation. But as you’ve heard me say in the past, this is another example of gun violence that is becoming all-too-common in communities large and small all across the United States. And while there is no piece of legislation that will end all violence in this country, there are some common sense things—that only Congress can do—that we know would have a tangible impact in reducing gun violence in this country. And Congress could take those steps in a way that would not infringe on the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. And the president has long advocated Congress taking those steps, and the president continues to believe that they should do so.”

Asked whether the president feels like his gun control efforts are “circumscribed by the Second Amendment” or whether or “the magnitude of the things that we’ve seen so far force a similar reinvestigation or reevaluation of even that basic constitutional freedom,” Earnest responded, “The president does not advocate changing the Second Amendment.”

Throughout the press briefing, Earnest stressed “common sense” gun control reforms. He stated the president has suggested ideas such as “curbing the gun show loophole.”

Other politicians are also seizing the opportunity to make a point about gun control.

Hillary Clinton sent out a tweet claiming she is, “Heartbroken and angry” over the incident. She added, “We must act to stop gun violence, and we cannot wait any longer. Praying for the victims' families in Virginia”:

Clinton personally signed the tweet with –H.

In an interview with WTOP, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe discussed the tragedy. He also stated, “It goes back to what I’ve been talking about for a long time: there are too many guns in the hands of people who should not have guns. This is why I’ve long advocated for background checks. I’m a gun owner. I’m a hunter.  But you know what? I went through background checks myself in order to get it.”

It is unknown at the time whether the shooter, Vester Lee Flanagan (also known as Bryce Williams), legally obtained the gun and whether he passed a background check.

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