President Barack Obama says the families of the 49 people who were killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting "could be our families" and "are part of the American family."
Obama adds that his visit Thursday to the grieving Florida city reminds everyone of "what is good."
Obama spoke after meeting privately with loved ones of those who were killed Sunday, including many young people in their 20s and 30s.
He says the families' grief is "beyond description."
Later he said, “I held and hugged grieving family members and parents and they asked why does this keep happening?"
Obama was joined by Vice President Joe Biden.
"We’re going to have to take different steps to try and prevent things like this from happening," also mentioning the shootings in Aurora and Newtown.
"Those who defend the easy accessibility of these assault weapons should meet these families and explain why that makes sense."
He said families, "They pleaded that we do more to stop the carnage. They don't care about the politics."
Meanwhile, the semi-automatic rifle used in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history was designed to meet U.S. military requirements for a smaller, quieter combat weapon.
Sig Sauer's MCX hit the market in 2015 after years of development by the New Hampshire-based company. Sig Sauer markets the MCX as an "innovative weapon system built around a battle-proven core."
Police say Omar Mateen was armed with a Sig Sauer MCX and a pistol during the attack early Sunday at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, which left 49 people dead. Mateen, who had purchased the guns legally, was killed after a shootout with police.
Gun control advocates say the MCX, which comes with a magazine that carries 30 rounds, is exactly the type of assault weapon that should not be available to civilians.
(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
