May 19, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A White House spokesman says this isn't the day for a discussion about gun control.
Jay Carney was responding to reporters' questions on that issue, and President Barack Obama's campaign promises on gun control, in the aftermath of today's deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.
The president himself signaled a desire for action, but he wasn't specific. Obama said, "As a country, we have been through this too many times." He said, "We're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics."
During his time in office, mass shootings have shaken communities in Wisconsin, Texas and Colorado.
Although the White House isn't getting into the issue of gun control today, others are. Democratic congressman Jerrold Nadler of New York said in a statement, "If now is not the time to have a serious discussion about gun control and the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our society, I don't know when is."
