President Obama Argues for Gun Control Legislation After Washington Navy Yard Shooting

In the wake of Monday's deadly mass shooting in the Washington Navy Yard, on Tuesday President Obama called on Congress to revisit gun control legislation and take "basic actions" to toughen the nation's gun laws. 

In an interview with Telemundo, Obama said the country's background check system for gun buyers is weak and makes the United States vulnerable to mass shootings, such as the tragedy last December at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six teachers dead. 

"You know, I do get concerned that this becomes a ritual that we go through every three, four months, where we have these horrific mass shootings," Obama told the Spanish-language television network, according to the Washington Post. "Everybody expresses understandable horror. We all embrace the families - and obviously our thoughts and prayers are with those families right now as they're absorbing this incredible loss. And yet we're not willing to take some basic actions."

Obama made the comments as more details emerged about Aaron Alexis, the 34-year-old government contractor who is suspected of killing 12 people in the shooting rampage at the Washington military base before police killed him.

"Initial reports indicate that this is an individual who may have had some mental health problems," Obama told Telemundo, reports Reuters.

Rhode Island police had warned the Navy last month that Alexis had complained about "hearing voices." Nonetheless, he used a valid entry pass on Monday to enter the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters with a legally purchased shotgun and gained access to a handgun after he started firing, said Valerie Parlave, the FBI's assistant director in charge in Washington.

"The fact that we do not have a firm enough background check system is something that makes us more vulnerable to these kinds of mass shootings," said Obama.

"You have a majority of the American people and even a large percentage of Republicans who are ready to move the country forward, and yet we keep on getting blocked," Obama said. "It's a challenge that I'm speaking out on, but ultimately we're also gonna meet pressure from the public to see if we can change how they do business up there."