Gun violence only mentioned once during State of the Union
President Obama only mentioned gun violence once during his final the State of the Union address.
The president did cover dozens of different topics. Everything from the economy, terrorism, and social security just to name a few.
But even with the recent mass shootings in San Bernardino and the thousands of people killed every year by guns, the President hardly touched on the issue of gun violence.
Rupert Smith of Palm Desert watched President Obama’s final State of the Union address just like millions of Americans, from his living room.
But his wife, Dori Smith, had a much better seat. She was the invited guest of Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz, (D) 36th District.
Dori Smith has been active with the Democratic Party in the Coachella Valley for years. She’s also the leader of the California chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. A group that pushes for more background checks a higher levels of gun safety.
“I chose Dori Smith, a champion in our local community who works tirelessly to help prevent gun violence on our streets, in our homes, and throughout our society,” said Ruiz.
Unfortunately for gun control activists President Obama only mentioned gun violence once in his speech.
“I will keep pushing for progress on the work that still needs to be done fixing a broken immigration system, and protecting our kids from gun violence,” President Obama said during the beginning of the address.
Gun violence activists would have liked hear more from the President during the speech.
“I would hope that a gun owner or a non-gun owner could agree that we need to be safe with guns, we need to have serious background checks, we need to do a number of things to make it safer particularly for a child to be in a gun environment,” said Rupert Smith.
“We are a great nation and we have a lot of positive things going for this country, and the last few years have been difficult for some but the future is very positive for everybody. I even feel positive that we are going to bring down the rate of gun violence in this country, all we have to do is work together and work hard,” said Dori Smith.
The largest statement on gun violence in America wasn’t made by the President, but instead by First Lady Michelle Obama. The seat next to her remained empty for the speech for the victims of gun violence.
“We leave one seat empty in the First Lady’s State of the Union Guest Box for the victims of gun violence who no longer have a voice – because they need the rest of us to speak for them,” the White House announced on its official website.”To tell their stories. To honor their memory. To support the Americans whose lives have been forever changed by the terrible ripple effect of gun violence – survivors who’ve had to learn to live with a disability, or without the love of their life. To remind every single one of our representatives that it’s their responsibility to do something about this.”
WHY DO YOU THINK PRESIDENT OBAMA DIDN’T ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE DURING THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS? LET US KNOW BELOW OR TELL JOE GALLI ON FACEBOOK OR TWITTER.
