Jeh Johnson on Gun Violence: The Central Problem Is the Prevalence of Guns in America

EXCERPT:

JOHNSON: "Well, first and foremost, Margaret, I believe that the problem, the central problem, the common thread through all of these incidents is the prevalence of guns in America. The individual circumstances of each episode tend to be a little different. The motive tends to be different. The location is different. The weapon is different. But the problem we have in this country nationwide is the prevalence of guns in America. I do not for a second give up on the possibility of further gun safety legislation. We have to get off this point of view of the NRA that if they give an inch, we're going to take a mile. We can regulate guns in America, consistent with the Second Amendment, consistent with the constitutional right of a responsible gun owner to own a gun for hunting, for their own personal safety of their family. And Mike is also right. There's more to do on the mental health front. There's more to do to raise awareness among co-workers, families, people in school, about the warning signs of someone heading toward violence, so that the signs are undeniable at some point."