President Barack Obama addressed questions from gun rights supporters at a town hall event on Thursday, disputing critics who suggest gun control laws aren't worthwhile because they won't prevent every death.
Taya Kyle, widow of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, was the first to address the president. She questioned the ability of a piece of legislation or an executive order to deter those with malicious intent, and asked if it would be better to focus on the positive changes throughout the country, like the ongoing decline in violent crime.
"We want to think that we can make a law and people will follow it," Kyle said. "I don't know that any [attackers] would've been stopped by a background check. We cannot outlaw murder."
She went on to note that as violent crime and murder rates have declined, support for gun ownership in America is at an all-time high. Kyle said that while requiring a background check wouldn't keep someone like herself from buying a firearm, it also wouldn't stop those with plans to commit violence.
Arizona Sheriff Paul Babeu, who announced his campaign for Congress last year, also asked the president what purpose new laws would have if those already in place don't always prevent weapons from getting into the wrong hands.
"What would you have done to prevent these mass shootings ... and how do we get those with mental illness and criminals [from getting weapons]?" Babeu, who recently called for Arizonans to arm themselves, asked. "That's the real problem here, how're we going to get them to follow the laws."
Babeu's sentiments were echoed by Chris Jacob, the vice president of the American Firearms Retailers Association, who said the country might be better served "if we can enforce the laws that already exist."
"It might create a significant deterrent," Jacob said.
Obama cut off moderator Anderson Cooper when the CNN host asked if there was any truth to the conspiracy that the president was after the country's guns.
Rather, he said, "It's important not to suggest that if we can't solve every crime, we shouldn't try to solve any crimes."
Obama spoke on his new proposals during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday, at which he teared up thinking of the 5-year-old and 6-year-old victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. Obama emphasized that he's pursuing gun control methods through executive action because of inaction from Congress.
"Instead of thinking about how to solve the problem, this has become one of our most polarized, partisan debates," he added.
Obama's proposals were considered to be relatively small in nature, meant to add layers to the gun background check system and streamline the process currently in place. Obama, who is kicking off his last year in office, has emphasized that this problem could last beyond his presidency, and is working to outline the next steps that need to be taken.
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