President Obama says AK-47s are for soldiers
As a follow-up to the Colorado movie theater massacre, President Obama spoke Wednesday against gun violence, addressing gun control and specific rifles.
President Barack Obama hugs Stephanie Davies while visiting shooting victim Allie Young at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colo., Sunday, July 22, 2012. Davies helped keep Young alive after her friend was wounded at the movie theater in Aurora. The President traveled to Colorado to visit with patients and family members affected by the shootings. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The President reaffirms that he stand with the Second Amendment, citing hunting and gun ownership, told a rally at the National Urban League in New Orleans that there is work to be done.
“I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals,” Obama said. “That they belong on the battlefield of war, not on the streets of our cities.”
President Obama routinely avoids gun control as a topic in speeches, but visited the families of victims in Aurora, Colorado on Sunday. Gun rights and gun legislation has dominated national dialogue over the weekend.
On Wednesday, the President emphasized a need for background checks and the prevention of “mentally unbalanced” individuals from obtaining guns. He faulted opposition in Congress for lack of progress made in reducing violence.
“These steps shouldn’t controversial. They should be common sense,” Obama said, though without elaborating too specifically on measures of enforcement.
“We should leave no stone unturned and recognize that we have no greater mission as a country than keeping our young people safe,” he added.
