Transcript for White House Insists New Gun Controls Could Prevent Terror Attacks

Did he have any indication at that point they congress that's two things stronger background checks were prevented the shooting. I in this instance. Of course but the president is confident and I think common sense thinking Americans are now. And if there are things that congress can do. That would. Make it harder for individuals who shouldn't have guns from getting them. The nation and congress should act and pass a law accordingly because that law can be implemented way that doesn't undermine the constitutional rights of law. And he also said. He also cited the no fly issues things that people are on the no fly list. Opulent houses are any indication then or is an indication cents. Did such a provision were prevented the shooting. Well again John we're still learning exactly what I guess I'm asking deputies and any indication to this point. It either tougher background checks. Or doing what the president's proposed the no fly list would have prevented horse it's point the point here. If it is common sense that if the government thinks it's too dangerous for unity on an airplane. He shouldn't be able to buy. As common sense and congress for reasons that they can't explain at least I have heard him articulate can't explain what that passed that law yet. Vacate if you but the president of the president when they actively oppose the passage. But the president made these comments. Specifically related to the shooting when asked about this shooting some wondering why the kind of immediate. Fall back to congress needs to pass more gun legislation. In response to to a shooting when there's no evidence as you just said we've seen no evidence certainly not at the time the president has spoken and even to this. Moment that any of the proposals that you have been talking about would have prevented the shooting. Because the president is determined to ensure that these kinds of incidents of mass shootings. Are considered routine. And he's determined to press congress at every turn he just acknowledge that these proposals and that is that is that this incident but John retirement future incidents. If we want to make it harder for individuals to carry out these kinds of acts in the future it's time for congress to pass laws that makes it harder for people who shouldn't have guns from getting. That is a simple proposition I don't understand actually I do understand what doctor. And it's simply because we get to any members of congress that are terrified of the NRA. Or right now there are a lot of people across this country that are terrified of the mansion entrepreneur what's the role in the congress. Duty astronaut Sandberg you know what is the relevance to what happened in San Bernardino if that provisions you're talking about as you acknowledge. Would have done nothing to prevent the shooting what what why is it part of this discussion. This discussion is about what we can do to keep guns out against people who should what should the discussion be how can we prevent. What happened yesterday from happening. Should be part of the discussion as we conduct an investigation to learn more exactly about. How these individuals carry out this act and what their motive was that certainly should be part of the discussion. That's what we're conducting an investigation. That's why the president's attorney get to the bottom of it that's why the president summoned his national security team and national security team to come to the Oval Office today to provide an update on the investigation. So of course those facts matter and of course we're getting it's about what exactly happened. Because we can learn from those facts would additional steps can be taken to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the future. The point is we don't need to conduct an investigation to determine that a common sense thing. Like preventing individuals on the no fly list from being able to buy gone. Would actually make all the safer it would make it harder for a person with bad intentions. From getting a gun in using in carrying out an act of violence. To the president believe that state that tougher background checks. Would prevent terrorist incidents. I mean simply that their that you know he's good necks out because. Because. How so. We'll it again it's a hypothetical. But it could. And one question on the investigation the fact that the FBI is now taking the lead on this is fair. To discern from that. The FBI has taken a leave because the high likelihood that this in fact was terrorist related of the FBI's taken the lead in this investigation because of the possibility. Terry that this was in that.

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