Obama 2012 Blog

Despite overwhelming public support, yesterday the Senate voted to block common-sense measures to reduce gun violence. This was President Obama's response.

As President Obama just said, "This was a pretty shameful day for Washington."

A majority of senators stood with more than 90 percent of Americans today to support expanding background checks for gun sales. But it wasn't enough—a group of senators defied the will of their constituents and blocked a simple vote on common-sense legislation that would protect our kids and our communities.

The victims of Newtown deserve action. The same goes for the people of Tucson, and Virginia Tech, and Aurora, and Chicago, and every single community that has been devastated by gun violence.

They deserve action now.

Organizing for Action supporters have not let the naysayers hold them back, and they've spoken out loudly in this debate. More than 22,000 of you called the Senate today alone. For anyone wondering, supporters of common-sense reform aren't going anywhere—it's too important that our representatives in Washington clearly hear the voices of the people who put them there.

We won't sit around and let Congress drag its heels while Americans are coming together to demand action. We won't wait for the next Newtown.

This Saturday, OFA supporters are holding events in states where senators hold the key to expanding background checks.

The President's right. Today was just round one. "Those who care deeply about preventing more and more gun violence have to be as passionate and organized and as vocal as those who blocked these common-sense steps to keep our kids safe."

We're not done fighting. Add your name right now to say you're going to keep fighting too.

Add your name

The Senate is expected to vote today on expanding background checks for gun sales—a measure that would go a long way toward reducing gun violence and making our communities safer. Our senators are debating right now, and we expect the vote to be very close—now is the time to speak up.

Can you pick up the phone right now and call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121?

It only takes a few minutes of your time to make your voice heard. Then, make sure you report back on how it went.

Make sure to tell your senator where you're from. And if you'd like, let them know your reason for taking action on gun violence. Maybe you have a friend or a family member who's been affected by gun violence, or maybe you were moved to stand up after the shooting in Newtown, or Tucson, or Virginia Tech. Whatever your reason, your passion will come through and that will make a difference.

These are common-sense reforms that will actually save lives and make our communities safer. If we want the Senate to pass a bill to reduce gun violence, we have to speak up—the special-interest groups on the other side are already well represented in this debate.

Thanks for being a part of this.

Now start calling.

Tell us how it went

Due to the events at the Boston Marathon today, we are postponing tomorrow's National Call Day on gun violence prevention. We'll update you when we know more about what's next in this effort.

Please join us in keeping Boston in your thoughts and prayers.

This week, the U.S. Senate is getting ready to vote on a bill that would go a long way toward preventing gun violence and making our communities safer. That's because, in the wake of tragedies like the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, people all across the country spoke out to demand action from Congress.

We cannot let up on our senators—not when we've come this far. This Tuesday, April 16th, we're holding a National Call Day to make sure the voices of ordinary Americans are heard in this debate.

You can get involved from wherever you are. All you have to do is pledge to call your senators on Tuesday.

We'll follow up with their contact information and the resources you need to get it done.

Fellow OFA supporters and our allies will be doing the same thing—calling their senators and letting them know that we haven't forgotten about the toll gun violence is taking on our families and our communities. If we do our jobs right, anyone near a U.S. Senate office on Tuesday will know exactly the kind of passion that's out there to do something about gun violence in this country.

Pledge to call your senator on Tuesday and join the groundswell of voices demanding action from Congress.

Pledge to Call