Statement on the 10th Anniversary of the Shooting at the Washington Navy Yard

Ten years ago today at the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC, a shooter entered Building 197 and senselessly took 12 lives, injured 8 others, and devastated the lives of countless others forever. Days later, I visited survivors of this horrific attack in the hospital. I'll never forget their resilience and bravery in the face of unthinkable violence and pain.

One decade later, our work to end the scourge of gun violence in our country is, sadly, far from over. Last year, I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law, the most significant legislative action in nearly 30 years to end gun violence. And I have now taken more meaningful executive action than any President in American history to try and make our schools, churches, grocery stores, and communities safe from gun violence. But there is simply no replacement for congressional action. That is why I continue to call on Republicans in Congress to stop standing in the way of universal background checks legislation, as well as other commonsense legislation supported by a strong majority of Americans, that can help end our Nation's gun violence epidemic once and for all. Jill and I are praying for the survivors and those who continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones today.