What the Orlando Victims' Families Are Begging President Obama to Do

Published on 6/16/2016 at 7:43 PM

On Thursday, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden flew to Orlando, FL, to honor the victims of Sunday's shooting at the gay nightclub Pulse. The tragedy left 49 dead and 50 injured, making it the deadliest mass shooting in US history.

The two left white roses at a memorial set up at the Dr. Phillips Center For the Performing Arts in Orlando before Obama gave a speech about the massacre.

"If there was ever a moment for all of us to reflect and reaffirm our most basic beliefs that everybody counts and everybody has dignity, now's the time," said the president, encouraging more respect for the LGBT community and acknowledging the heroes of that night.

Obama called on the need for stricter gun control laws and said he met with families of the dead who begged him to take action to stop the mass shootings. "I held and hugged grieving family members and parents and they asked, 'Why does this keep happening?' And they pleaded that we do more to stop the carnage," said Obama, according to CNN. "They don't care about the politics. Neither do I."

Obama also met with survivors, local law enforcement, and Pulse nightclub employees. Ahead, check out more photos of the touching visit.

President Obama boards Marine One at the White House on his way to Orlando.

Florida Democratic Representative Corrine Brown and Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio walk with President Obama after he lands at the Orlando International Airport.

President Obama shakes hands with Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott at the Orlando International Airport.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer gives President Obama an "Orlando United" t-shirt at the Orlando International Airport.

President Obama and Vice President Biden carry white roses to place at a memorial for the victims of the Orlando shooting.

The two lay flowers at the memorial at the Dr. Phillips Center For the Performing Arts in Orlando.

Signed posters, flowers, and flags make up the memorial to the victims of the Orlando shooting.

President Obama and Vice President Biden pause before leaving the memorial.

Speaking about gun violence, President Obama stands alongside Vice President Biden after visiting the memorial.

President Obama puts his arm on Vice President Biden during their visit to honor the victims of Orlando.