Christie: Gun Laws We Have Are Adequate, Need Enforcement

In the wake of the Colorado movie theater massacre many politicians continue to demand tougher gun laws - and Governor Christie continues to insist the ones we've got right now are sufficient - but we do need to more aggressively enforce them.

Speaking tonight on Townsquare Media's Ask The Governor Program, Christie said, "I like to keep a respectful distance on these things early - I don't want to seem like a politician who is trying to capitalize on tragedy - and I think we have too many of those."

A few days ago Jersey U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg  - the sponsor of legislation to close gun-buying loopholes - called for a review of current gun laws - and Governor Christie responded by saying "I am a little bit disturbed by politicians who, in the immediate aftermath of this type of tragedy try to grandstand on it."

On this evenings show, the Governor said " it's not just Senator Lautenberg who's done this, but there have been others - lets leave a bit of a respectful distance between these people being murdered in the movie theater to try to make a political issue of it - I just think its wrong...I'm with the President and Governor Romney on this - I don't think we should be talking about it now."

When the Governor was asked about comments made by New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg - who said "I don't understand why the police officers across this country don't stand up collectively and say we're going to go on strike - we're not going to protect you unless you the public through your legislature do what's required to keep us safe" Christie said "let them go on strike in New York - we'll see how that works...Mayor Bloomberg is obviously passionate about this issue and he's not restricting himself to stay out of politics during tragedies - this is a guy who's very outspoken."

The New Jersey Ceasefire Project and the Coalition for Peace Action have released a statement saying "our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families and we extend our condolences on this Friday, June 20th, following the massacre at the Aurora Theater in Aurora, Colorado.

Ceasefire New Jersey is deeply saddened that once again a massacre has occurred in the United States, with 12 lives senselessly taken by gun violence and another 38 people wounded. Unfortunately, however, mass shootings such as this tragedy in Aurora are not surprising because of the ease of access to guns, especially assault weapons, which have no place in the hands of private citizens."