Obama Breaks Down In Tears During Speech On Gun Violence

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SOURCEThink Progress

Today, in a speech in the East Room of the White House, President Obama announced a series of executive actions designed to curb gun violence. Obama’s initiative includes strengthening background checks, hiring more ATF agents, increasing funds for mental health treatment, and sponsoring research on gun safety technology.

Obama not only spelled out the details of his plan, but also took the time to tell the stories of the people who have lost their lives to gun violence.

“We maybe can’t save everybody, but we can save some,” Obama said.

When he began talking about the first graders who lost their lives at Newtown, he began to cry. “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad,” he said.

Obama’s actions and emotions clearly reflect a frustration with an intransigent Congress that refuses to accept any efforts at gun control.

“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now. But they cannot hold America hostage. We do not have to accept this carnage as the price of freedom,” Obama said.

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Judd Legum is Editor-in-Chief of ThinkProgress. Previously, Judd was the Research Director for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign. He also worked at American Progress from 2003 to 2007, when he founded and edited ThinkProgress. Judd holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from Pomona College in Public Policy analysis. He is a member of the Maryland Bar and has practiced as an attorney, focusing on civil and criminal trial work. Judd has also appeared frequently on radio and television, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and CNBC.

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