The President, three days ago:

I would like you to pause for a moment and consider the incredible courage of that event. Our president, who is vilified every single day by some of the most reprehensible and irresponsible voices our freedom of speech allows, made the choice to confront our nation’s gun violence problem. Made the choice to open up an issue Democrats chose to bury for over a decade for the sake of winning elections. Made the choice to honor the murdered children of Newtown properly.

The President:

These are a few of the 23 executive actions I am announcing today. But, as important as these steps are, they are in no way a substitute for action from members of Congress. To make a real and lasting difference, Congress too must act. And Congress must act soon. And I’m calling on Congress to pass some very specific proposals right away.

New Hampshire Rep. Carol Shea-Porter did not hesitate, meeting the President’s courage with her own a few hours later:

“I agree with the President’s comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter.  “I will not and cannot forget the never-ending scenes of families and communities in shock and mourning, and I will not ignore the calls of our citizens to do something to help stop the violence.  I support responsible gun ownership because Americans have a right to hunt or defend themselves, and they also have a right to expect to be safe as they go about their daily lives.”

As of this writing, we haven’t yet heard from the rest of our federal delegation - from Senator Jeanne Shaheen, from Senator Kelly Ayotte, from Rep. Annie Kuster, or even Governor Maggie Hassan on the President’s plan.

Again, the President:

In the month since 20 precious children and six brave adults were violently taken from us at Sandy Hook Elementary, more than 900 of our fellow Americans have reportedly died at the end of a gun — 900 in the past month.  And every day we wait, that number will keep growing.

I don’t get involved in symbolic, unwinnable fights. The common sense legislation proposed by the President enjoys widely popular support. The major gun profits group opposing these measures is dwarfed by the President’s list of supporters. We have a majority in the Senate, and the Republican House majority has in a very short time shown twice that it will bend to popular pressure.  We owe it to the safety of our nation’s children to try. And if action is ultimately blocked this time, another election is right around the corner, with our President in office another two years.

Again, the President:

I will put everything I’ve got into this, and so will Joe. But I tell you, the only way we can change is if the American people demand it.

Demand it.