Barack Obama has called for stricter gun laws on the 1-year anniversary of the Washington Navy Yard shooting that left 12 people dead. 

The statement on the White House website reads:

“One year ago, our dedicated military and civilian personnel at the Washington Navy Yard were targeted in an unspeakable act of violence that took the lives of 12 American patriots. As we remember men and women taken from us so senselessly, we keep close their family and friends, stand with the survivors who continue to heal and pay tribute to the first responders who acted with skill and bravery. At the same time, we continue to improve security at our country’s bases and installations to protect our military and civilian personnel who help keep us safe. One year ago, 12 Americans went to work to protect and strengthen the country they loved. Today, we must do the same – rejecting atrocities like these as the new normal and renewing our call for common-sense reforms that respect our traditions while reducing the gun violence that shatters too many American families every day.”

The shooting occurred when the gunman, who was a civilian contractor, opened fire using a smuggled Remington 870 and a Beretta 92 pistol, killing 12 and wounding 8.  The Naval Sea System Command in Washington was designated a “Gun Free Zone.” 

While more than 2,000 people, including some of the Navy’s top officials, gathered at the Navy Yard in Washington, Obama chose to honor those killed by using their deaths to call for more gun control. 

Was America expecting anything else from their Commander in Chief?