Obama on Florida shooting: We are grieving, ‘but we are not powerless’

Former President Barack Obama said Thursday that “we are not powerless” against gun violence in the wake of the deadly shooting at a Florida high school.

“We are grieving with Parkland. But we are not powerless. Caring for our kids is our first job,” Obama tweeted.

We are grieving with Parkland. But we are not powerless. Caring for our kids is our first job. And until we can honestly say that we’re doing enough to keep them safe from harm, including long overdue, common-sense gun safety laws that most Americans want, then we have to change.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 15, 2018

At least 17 people died and more than a dozen were wounded after a gunman opened fire Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

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President Trump offered condolences and denounced the shooting, saying he is “making plans” to visit the school.

Trump also said he would “tackle the difficult issue of mental health,” but did not weigh in directly on the contentious debate over gun control.

Since the shooting, multiple lawmakers have called for Congress to act to prevent another tragedy.

One month after taking office, Trump signed legislation revoking an Obama-era regulation that was designed to make it harder for mentally ill people to purchase guns.