奥巴马演讲视频：奥巴马宣布将推动立法禁售大杀伤性枪支

We started We The People so that you could directly petition your government on the matters you care about the most.

So that you could make your voice heard.

And in the days since the heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, hundreds of thousands of you from all 50 states have signed petitions asking us to take serious steps to address the epidemic¹ of gun violence in this country.

So I just wanted to take a minute today to respond and let you know we hear you.

Now, like the majority of Americans, I believe that the Second Amendment² guarantees an individual right to bear arms.

We have got a strong tradition of gun ownership that has been handed down from generation to generation.

And the fact is, most gun owners in America are responsible.

They buy their guns legally and they use them safely.

And it is encouraging that many gun owners have stepped up this week to say there are steps we can take to prevent more tragedies like the one in Newtown.

Steps that both protect our rights, and protect our kids.

Here is what I think we should do.

This week I called on Congress to take up and pass common sense legislation that has the support of a majority of the American people.

Including banning the sale of military style assault weapons and high capacity ammunition³ clips. And making sure criminals can't take advantage of legal loopholes to get their hands on a gun.

I also tasked the Vice⁴ President with leading an effort to come up with a comprehensive set of serious proposals to keep our children safe.

Including strengthening school safety, improving mental health care, and addressing a culture that too often glorifies⁵ guns and violence.

I have asked for these proposals by January. And I will push for them early in the year.

I will do everything in my power as President to advance these efforts. Because if there is even one thing we can do as a country to protect our children, we have a responsibility to try.

But as I said earlier this week, I can't do it alone. I need your help.

If we are going to succeed, it is going to take a sustained effort for mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, law enforcement and responsible gun owners, organizing, speaking up, calling their members of Congress as many times as it takes.

Standing⁶ up and saying, enough, on behalf of all of our kids.

That is how change happens. Because of committed Americans who work to make it happen. Because of you.

You have started something and now I am asking you to keep at it.

I am asking for your help to make a real, meaningful difference in the lives of our communities and our country, and make sure the United States of America is a safer, stronger place for our children to learn and to grow.

Thanks so much.

 

1 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

2 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

3 ammunition   

n.军火，弹药

参考例句：

• A few of the jeeps had run out of ammunition.几辆吉普车上的弹药已经用光了。
• They have expended all their ammunition.他们把弹药用光。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 glorifies   

赞美( glorify的第三人称单数 )； 颂扬； 美化； 使光荣

参考例句：

• He denies that the movie glorifies violence. 他否认这部影片美化暴力。
• This magazine in no way glorifies gangs. 这本杂志绝对没有美化混混们。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。