President Obama rebuked those in Congress who object to universal background checks Tuesday in a pre-taped interview on the "Today Show":
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Matt, on Monday evening, President Obama spoke about this tragedy offering his thoughts and prayers to the city and vowing justice to those involved. I happened to sit down with him shortly before these explosions and we talked about a number of things in the headlines. We began with the gun legislation before Congress that many say is now hanging by a thread.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: I think we've got a good chance of seeing it pass if members of Congress are listening to the American people, so let's just take the example of background checks. 90 percent of Americans think we should make it tougher for Criminals or those with mental illnesses to obtain a gun, and so the notion that Congress would defy the overwhelming instinct of the American people after what we saw happen in Newtown, I think, is unimaginable.
Full interview:
