Obama On Oregon Shooting: “Our Thoughts & Prayers Are Not Enough”

President Obama addressed the mass shooting that occurred at Oregon's Umpqua Community College with an impassioned speech about gun control. He opened his talk by offering condolences and prayers to victims' families and thanking first responders. He then went on to discuss the dire need for stricter laws. "Our thoughts and prayers are not enough," he said. "It's not enough. It does not capture the heartache and grief and anger that we should feel. And it does nothing to prevent this carnage from being inflicted someplace else in America next week or a couple months from now." He said that America is not the only country with people with mental illnesses, but clarified that, "We are the only advanced country on Earth that sees these kinds of mass shootings every few months." President Obama also addressed critics of gun control: "How can you with a straight face make the argument that more guns will make us safer?" He urged listeners to choose elected officials who reflect their views on gun violence and made it clear that this is an issue that needs to be politicized and needs support from Congress. He concluded the speech with a plea: "May [God] give us the strength to come together and find the courage to change." Watch the full speech, below.