Summary

Barack Obama begins his remarks on common-sense gun safety reforms by thanking Mark Barden, the man who introduced him and whose son, Daniel, was killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Obama reminds the audience that five years ago that week, Gabby Giffords, a former member of Congress, was shot outside a supermarket, but she survived.

Obama then reminds the audience of the abundance of mass shootings that have taken place in the US since then and expresses his concern that so many American families lose loved ones through gun-related incidents. Obama is also concerned that people are too focused on political issues rather than on trying to stop gun violence.

Obama talks about the urgency of taking common-sense gun safety measures,but also reminds the audience that he does not oppose the Second Amendment (granting US citizens the right to carry weapons). However, he argues that one particular right should not undermine others and that people need to conform to rules in a civilized society.

He then talks about the importance of background checks at gun stores. He claims the...