White House spokesman Josh Earnest stated “there are some commonsense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact in reducing gun violence in this country. And Congress could take those steps any in a way that would not infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.

Earnest, speaking at the White House press briefing Wednesday, articulated that “thoughts and prayers of everybody here at the White House are with the families of those who were injured or killed in that terrible incident.”

Josh Earnest: I did not have the opportunity to speak to the president about the tragic shooting that occurred earlier today in Virginia. Obviously, the thoughts and prayers of everybody here at the White House are with the families of those who were injured or killed in that terrible incident. The precise details of that incident continue to be under investigation, but as you’ve heard me say in the past, this is another example of gun violence that is becoming all too common in communities large and small all across the United States. And while there is no piece of legislation that will end all violence in this country, there are some commonsense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact in reducing gun violence in this country. And Congress could take those steps in a way that would not infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. And the president has long advocated Congress taking those steps, and the president continues to believe that they should do so.

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