Why President Obama cried on national television today

All eyes were on President Obama in the East Room today as he announced new executive actions concerning stricter gun laws that would call for expanded background checks and sales restrictions.

Recalling the devastation of the Sandy Hook shootings in 2012, President Obama shed tears as he spoke about what has been the most challenging aspect of his presidency, gun control. He told an audience filled with gun-control supporters and gun-violence survivors and their families, “Our right to peaceful assembly, that right was robbed of moviegoers in Aurora . . . and from first graders in Newtown. First graders,” Obama said, wiping away tears. “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad,” he added. “And by the way, it happens on the streets of Chicago every day.”

He began his address by reminding Americans, “Every year, 30,000 Americans have their lives cut short by guns,” going on to say, “We know we can’t stop every act of violence, every act of evil in the world, but maybe we can try to stop one act of evil, one act of violence,” he said. “We maybe can’t save everybody, but we can save some.”

According to The Hill, Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who survived a gunshot wound to the head during a 2011 shooting in Tucson, was in the audience. The President was introduced by Mark Barden, managing director of Sandy Hook Promise, who lost his son in the Newtown shooting.

We have seen President Obama shed tears before, but to go in front of the country weeping while calling for further gun control is a powerful message indeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75514O6Xzs0

See the President’s proposed executive actions here.

[Image via YouTube]