Emotional Obama vows action to prevent shootings ‘regardless of the politics’
President Barack Obama wipes a tear as he speaks about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, …An
emotional President Barack Obama vowed on Friday to "take meaningful
action, regardless of the politics," to prevent future tragedies like
the shooting massacre Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown,
Conn.
"Our hearts are broken today,"
Obama said in a brief statement at the White House briefing room,
frequently pausing to wipe tears from his eyes. "The majority of those
who died today were children, beautiful little kids between the ages of 5
and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them: birthdays,
graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also
teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children
fulfill their dreams."
Obama expressed sorrow for the
victims' loved ones and sympathy for the parents of the children who
survived but who know that "their children's innocence has been torn
away from them too early."
"As a country we have been
through this too many times," Obama said, listing a series of mass
shootings over the past few years in places like Aurora, Colo.
"These neighborhoods are our
neighborhoods, and these children are our children. And we're going to
have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more
tragedies like this, regardless of the politics," he stressed.
Earlier, White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters that "today's not the day" to talk about possible new gun control steps meant to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Obama ordered flags over
government facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Dec. 18.
Shortly after he spoke, Connecticut State Police said the death toll
included 20 children, six adults and the shooter.
Obama learned of the rampage at
10:30 a.m. from Homeland Security adviser John Brennan. He later
discussed it by telephone with FBI Director Robert Mueller and
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy.
Obama's reference to acting
"regardless of the politics" seemed likely to be a reference to deep
opposition in Congress to new gun control legislation.
"Today's not ... a day to engage
in the usual Washington policy debates," Carney told reporters. "That
day will come, but today's not that day." Carney said renewing a federal
assault weapons ban "does remain a commitment" of the president. The
ban expired in 2004, and Obama has taken no serious steps to renew it on
Capitol Hill.
Carney declined to answer
repeated questions on when would be an appropriate time for lawmakers in
Washington to discuss possible actions to prevent future
tragedies. "Our minds and our focus need to be on what's happening there
and providing assistance where we can to those who need it," he said,
urging "enormous sympathy for the families that are affected."
One reporter pointed to Obama's
remarks in July just days after a shooting spree that left 12 dead and
about 60 injured at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.
"I hope that over the next
several days, next several weeks and next several months, we all reflect
on how we can do something about some of the senseless violence that
ends up marring this country," Obama said at the time.
Obama has made similar comments
before, including at a January 2011 memorial for the victims of a mass
shooting in Tucson, Ariz., in which then-Rep. Gabby Giffords was
grievously wounded.
"We have to examine all the facts
behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of
such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in
order to lessen the prospects of such violence in the future," Obama said. "But what we cannot do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on each other. That we cannot do."
Republican House Speaker John Boehner likewise ordered the Stars and Stripes lowered over the Capitol.
"The horror of this day seems so
unbearable, but we will lock arms and unite as citizens, for that is how
Americans rise above unspeakable evil," Boehner said in a written
statement. "Let us all come together in God's grace to pray for the
families of the victims, that they may find some comfort and peace amid
such suffering.
"Let us give thanks for all those
who helped get people to safety, and take heart from their example. The
House of Representatives—like every American—stands ready to assist the
people of Newtown, Connecticut," Boehner said.
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