Dear Michael:
Thank you
for taking the time to write. I have heard from many Americans regarding
firearms policy and gun violence in our Nation, and I appreciate your
perspective. From Aurora to Newtown to the streets of Chicago, we have
seen the devastating effects gun violence has on our American family. I
join countless others in grieving for all those whose lives have been taken too
soon by gun violence.
Like the
majority of Americans, I believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual
right to bear arms. In this country, we have a strong tradition of gun
ownership that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Hunting and sport shooting are part of our national heritage. Yet, even
as we acknowledge that almost all gun owners in America are responsible, when
we look at the devastation caused by gun violenceâ€"whether in high-profile
tragedies or the daily heartbreak that plagues our citiesâ€"we must ask ourselves
whether we are doing enough.
While
reducing gun violence is a complicated challenge, protecting our children from
harm should not be a divisive one. Most gun owners agree that we can
respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible, law-breaking few
from inflicting harm on a massive scale. Most also agree that if we took
commonsense steps to curtail gun violence, there would be fewer atrocities like
the one that occurred in Newtown. We will not be able to stop every
violent act, but if there is even one thing we can do to reduce gun violenceâ€"if
even one life can be savedâ€"then we have an obligation to try.
That is why
I asked Vice President Joe Biden to identify concrete steps we can take to keep
our children safe, help prevent mass shootings, and reduce the broader epidemic
of gun violence in this country. He met with over 200 groups representing
a broad cross-section of Americans and heard their best ideas. I have put
forward a specific set of proposals based off of his efforts, and in the days
ahead, I intend to use whatever weight this office holds to make them a reality.
My plan
gives law enforcement, schools, mental health professionals, and the public
health community some of the tools they need to help reduce gun violence.
These tools include strengthening the background check system, helping schools
hire more resource officers and counselors and develop emergency preparedness
plans, and ensuring mental health professionals know their options for
reporting threats of violence. And I directed the Centers for Disease
Control to study the best ways to reduce gun violenceâ€"because it is critical
that we understand the science behind this public health crisis.
As important
as these steps are, they are not a substitute for action from Congress.
To make a real and lasting difference, members of Congress must also act.
As part of my comprehensive plan, I have called on them to pass some specific
proposals right away. First, it is time to require a universal background
check for anyone trying to buy a gun. Second, Congress should renew the
10-round limit on magazines and reinstate and strengthen the assault weapons
ban. We should get tougher on those who buy guns with the purpose of
selling them to criminals, and we should impose serious punishments on anyone
who helps them do this.
These are
reasonable, commonsense measures that have the support of the majority of the
American people. But change will not come unless the American people
demand it from their lawmakers. Now is the time to do the right thing for
our children, our communities, and the country we love. We owe the
victims of heartbreaking national tragedies and the countless unheralded
tragedies each year nothing less than our best effortâ€"to seek consensus in
order to save lives and ensure a brighter future for our children.
Thank you,
again, for writing. I encourage you to visit
www.WhiteHouse.gov/NowIsTheTime
to learn more about my Administration’s approach.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
