You're watching...
State of the Union, Part 6: President challenges Congress to take up gun control proposals
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
Defending our freedom though.
Is not does the job of our military along.
We must all do our part to make sure our god given rights are protected here at home.
That includes.
One of the most fundamental rights of a democracy.
The right to vote.
-- -- -- No matter where they live.
Or what their party.
Are denied that right.
Because they can't afford don't wait for five or six or seven hours just to cast their ballot.
We are betraying our ideals.
-- So tonight I'm announcing a nonpartisan commission to improvement.
The voting experience in America and that definitely needs improvement.
I'm asking too long time experts in the field.
Who by the way recently served as the top attorneys for my campaign and for governor Romney's campaign to -- it.
We can fix this and we will.
The American people demand it and so -- our democracy.
Of course.
-- I -- tonight matters little.
If we don't come together.
To protect our most precious resource.
Our children.
It has been there.
Two months since new -- I know this is not the first time this country is debated how to reduce gun violence.
But this time is different.
Overwhelming majorities of Americans.
Americans who believe in the Second Amendment.
Have come together around common sense reform.
Like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on -- -- Senator.
Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale the criminals.
Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets because.
He's police -- retired a -- their guys and gals.
Being outgunned.
Each of these proposals.
Deserves a -- in congress.
If you want to vote no.
That's your choice.
But these proposals deserve a vote.
Because in the two months since -- -- More than a thousand birthdays and graduation is -- anniversaries.
Have been stolen from our lives.
By a bullet from a -- For more than a thousand.
One of those we lost.
Was a young girl named.
No idea penalty.
Just thirteen years old.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- She was a major -- She was so good to our friends.
They all thought they were her best friend.
Just three weeks ago she was here in Washington.
Where their classmates.
Performing for -- country at my inauguration.
In a week later she was shot and killed.
In Chicago park after school.
Just a mile away from my house.
Ideas parents.
Named Cleo.
-- in this chamber tonight along -- more than two dozen Americans.
Whose lives have been torn apart by gun violence.
They deserve a vote.
-- -- -- The network.
The the -- They're deserved.
And they deserve a simple vote.
Our actions will not prevent every senseless act of violence in this country.
In fact no laws no initiatives.
No administrative acts.
What perfectly solve all the challenges -- outlined tonight.
But we were never sent here to be perfect.
We were sent here to make what difference we can't.
To secure this nation.
Expand opportunity.
Uphold our ideals through the harder often frustrating.
But absolutely necessary work of self government.
We were sent here to look out for our fellow Americans.
The same way they look out for one another.
Every single day.
Usually without fanfare all across this country.
We should follow their example.
We should follow the example of New York City -- name mentioned with Sanchez.
When hurricane -- punched her hospital in the darkness.
She wasn't thinking about -- our own home was fair.
Her mind was on the -- precious newborns in her care and the rescue plan she devised that kept them all safe.
We should follow the example of -- North Miami woman named.
-- -- -- -- -- weigh in arrived at a polling place she was told to wait to vote might be six hours.
And as time -- buying her concern was not -- her entire body or aching feet whether folks like her would get to have their site.
An hour after hour of -- people stayed in line to support.
Because doesn't mean is on in two years old.
And they erupted in cheers when she finally put on a sticker that read.
I vote.
We should follow their example of a police officer named Brian Murphy.
When a gunman opened fire.
-- temple -- Wisconsin.
Brian was the first arrived.
-- he did not consider his own safety.
He fought back.
Until help arrives.
And ordered his fellow officers to protect the safety of the fellow Americans worshiping inside.
Even as -- lay bleeding from twelve bullet wounds.
And when asked how he did that Brian said.
That's just the way we're made.
That's just the way we're -- We may do different jobs.
And where different uniforms.
And hold different -- is not a person besides.
But as Americans we all share the same crowd -- We are citizens.
It's a word the doesn't just describe our nationality or legal status.
It describes the way we're made.
-- describes what we believe.
It captures the enduring idea that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another.
And the future generations.
There are rights are wrapped up in the rights of others.
And that well into our third century as a nation.
It remains the task of us all.
As citizens of these United States.
To be the authors of the next great chapter of our American story.
Thank you god bless you and god --
