White House Press Sec: Va. Shooting Is Gun Violence ‘Becoming All Too Common’

White House Press secretary Josh Earnest speaks to the media during the daily briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday, April 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said the “terrible” shooting Wednesday morning in which two reporters were killed is another example of gun violence that is “becoming all too common.”

“Obviously, the thoughts and prayers of everyone here at the White House are with the families of those who were injured or killed in that terrible incident,” Earnest told the press in a news conference Wednesday.

Two journalists for Virginia TV station WDBJ were shot during a live newscast Wednesday morning. Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward died shortly after the shooting in Moneta, Virginia. Their interview subject, Vicki Gardner, was reported to be in stable condition, according to CNN.

“This is another example of gun violence that is becoming all too common in communities large and small all across the United States,” Earnest said. “And while there is no piece of legislation that will end all violence in this country, there are some common-sense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact in reducing gun violence in this country. Congress could take those steps that would not infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans.”

Earnest said he had not spoken to President Obama about the incident.

Watch some of Earnest’s comments from the Associated Press:

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Notable Replies

  1. [T]here are some common-sense things that only Congress can do that we know would have a tangible impact in reducing gun violence in this country. Congress could take those steps that would not infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans."

    Sorry. Nope. Not when there’s an election coming up.

    Not gonna happen.

    Don’t’cha know that there’s a time and a place for this kind of talk? This is neither the time nor the place. Of course, it’s never the right time, so there’ll never be a frank and honest discussion that doesn’t end with 2nd amendment rights.

  2. Fortunately for the NRA, there is always an election coming up…

    I’d be fine with that if the words “Well Regulated” weren’t so thoroughly ignored…

  3. I just watched the twelve minute tribute that was done by the station this morning. One woman remarked that they cover shootings like this all the time of people they don’t know, and it’s different when it’s one of your own. Now we know what those who knew them are going through. (paraphrase)

    Yes, now you know. So, what can you all do to try to prevent more senseless deaths in the future? Don’t you owe it to your fallen friends to do something?!

  4. “La-de-dah”
    –Annie Hall

  5. “White House Press Secretary:” Va. Shooting Is Gun Violence ‘Becoming All Too Common’

    Fixed it for ya.

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