Hillary Clinton, in the wake of the Sunday morning massacre that killed 49 in Orlando, Florida, gave a powerful speech on Monday afternoon where, among other things, she spoke about the easy access to guns—specifically assault weapons that she called “weapons of war”—the need for background checks, gun show loopholes, and all the many ways almost anyone can get their hands on a gun. Said Clinton:
Even if we make sure our security officials get the tools they need to prevent attacks, it's essential that we stop terrorists from getting the tools they need to carry out the attacks. And that is especially true when it comes to assault weapons like those used in Orlando and San Bernardino.
Now, I believe weapons of war have no place on our streets. We may have our disagreements about gun safety regulations, but we should all be able to agree on a few essential things. If the FBI is watching you for suspected terrorist links, you shouldn't be able to just go up by a gun with no questions asked. And you shouldn't be able to exploit loopholes and evade criminal background check by buying online or at a gun show.
And yes, if if you are too dangerous to get on a plane, you are too dangerous to buy a gun in America. Now I know some will say that assault weapons and background checks are totally separate issues having nothing to do with terrorism. Well, in Orlando and San Bernardino, terrorists used assault weapons. The AR-15. And they used it to kill Americans. That was the same assault weapon used to kill those little children in Sandy Hook. We have to make it harder for people who should not have those weapons of war.And that may not stop every shooting or every terrorist attack, but it will stop some and it will save lives and it will protect our first responders. I want you to know that I'm not going to stop fighting for these kinds of provisions.
That’s how a president speaks.