Obama: Church Shooting Highlights Need for Action Against Gun Violence

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, reacted to the shooting incident at a church by stating, "This incident confirms that we must acknowledge gun violence and take action against it." According to the Associated Press, on June 18, Mr. Obama commented on the shooting that resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, saying, "We mourn the deaths of innocent people at the hands of those who have no trouble accessing firearms." The President noted, "Now is a time for mourning, but we must be clear and acknowledge the truth that among advanced countries, we see the highest incidence of mass violence. This does not occur with this frequency and to this extent elsewhere, and it is within our power to take action against it." During the shooting on the evening of June 17 at the historic (African-American) Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, nine people, including "Clementa Pinckney," a pastor and state senator, were killed. The report indicates that the President and his wife, Michelle Obama, had a good relationship with this church. Mr. Obama referred to this church as "Mother Emanuel" and stated that it is not just a church but part of Charleston's history and a part of American history. Barack Obama, while noting that the investigation is ongoing and details cannot yet be discussed, said, "Anger and despair are the main factors behind such tragedies. I have repeatedly stated my position on such incidents." Since the tragedy of the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut, Barack Obama has been trying to pass a law for stricter gun control, but due to the public popularity of this law, the U.S. Senate has not yet voted on it. Although Republicans are strongly opposed to any restrictions on gun use in America, even Senate Democrats have not been willing to vote for this new proposal. In the Sandy Hook elementary school incident on December 14, 2012, 20 elementary students and six adults were killed by a young armed man. In the summer of 2012, a gunman killed 12 people and injured more than 60 others during a screening of the latest Batman trilogy film "The Dark Knight Rises" in a Colorado theater. Barack Obama acknowledged that politics plays a significant role in any proposal or law for increased security regarding gun use. However, he expressed hope that a change in this trend would occur. Mr. Obama stated, "Eventually, at some point, this issue will become important to the American people, and they will look at the issue of gun violence with collective wisdom and be able to create change." Barack Obama also referred to the shooting incident at the Charleston African-American church as a reminder of a dark era in American history regarding racial discrimination and stated that the widespread expression of sorrow over this tragedy shows that it is possible to overcome the remnants of hatred left from it.