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President Obama expresses outrage over massacre at Orlando nightclub

 
Published June 13, 2016

WASHINGTON — President Obama expressed the anguish of a nation on Sunday as he condemned the worst mass shooting in United States history and vowed to respond forcefully to the devastating "act of terror" at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla.

"Today as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder and horrific massacre of dozens of innocent people," Mr. Obama said, making short remarks from the White House briefing room. "We pray for the families who are grasping for answers with broken hearts."

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Obama said the country was again traumatized by grievous violence, which shattered more than 100 lives during a three-hour nightmare early Sunday, with 50 people killed and 53 injured in the attack.

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The president said the gunman used both a handgun and an assault weapon, demonstrating again what Mr. Obama said is the need for the country to reach some agreement on what he has called "common-sense" gun measures.

"This massacre is therefore a further reminder of how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school or a house of worship or a movie theater or a nightclub," he said. "We have to decide if that's the kind of country we want to be. To actively do nothing is a decision as well."

In his remarks, Mr. Obama said it was still unclear to the authorities whether there is a direct link between the gunman and international terrorist groups. He said that law enforcement officials are investigating whether the gunman was either trained, directed or inspired by the Islamic State or other groups.

Mr. Obama had been briefed by Homeland Security officials, including the F.B.I. director, James Comey, in the Oval Office before delivering his remarks, and he pledged the full efforts of the nation's investigative and national security assets in both determining the motive of the Orlando gunman and devising a response.

"We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate," the president said.

Mr. Obama offered his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and urged Americans to keep the country's gay and lesbian community in mind as they offer their prayers during the aftermath of the shooting. Shortly after he spoke, the administration announced an order that flags at the White House and other federal sites around the world be lowered to half-staff.

"The shooter targeted a nightclub where people came together to be with friends, to dance and to sing and to live," Mr. Obama said. "This is a sobering reminder that attacks on any American, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, is an attack on all of us."

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During his presidency, Mr. Obama has repeatedly mourned for victims in the wake of mass shootings, often expressing anger and frustration at what he has said is the country's apparent willingness to let them become a "normal" part of life in America.

That anger has been compounded by Mr. Obama's inability to persuade lawmakers to impose new restrictions on the availability of firearms, especially the assault-style rifles like the one believed to have been used by the gunman in Sunday morning's attack in Orlando. A major push for a ban on assault weapons after the 2012 massacre of schoolchildren in Newtown, Conn., ended in failure.

"Can we say that we're truly doing enough to give all the children of this country the chance they deserve to live out their lives in happiness and with purpose?" Mr. Obama said after the Newtown attack.

The Orlando massacre is likely to elevate the gun control issue in the presidential campaign between Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump. The candidates have expressed starkly different views about firearms — Mrs. Clinton has vowed to pursue more gun control measures, while Mr. Trump has bragged about support from the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun activists.

Mrs. Clinton said on Twitter on Sunday that she "woke up to hear the devastating news from FL," and said her thoughts are with those affected by the "horrific act." Mr. Trump posted that he is "praying for all the victims & their families" and asked: "When will this stop? When will we get tough, smart & vigilant?"

In a later post on Twitter, Mr. Trump said he had been receiving congratulations for "being right on radical Islamic terrorism," adding that "I don't want congrats, I want toughness and vigilance. We must be smart!"