President Obama has been notably silent on the issue of gun control during his presidency, in spite of at least four major mass shootings during his term — Binghamton, N.Y. (2009); Fort Hood, Texas (2009); Tucson, Ariz. (2011) and now Aurora, Colo.

In his few public statements on guns, Obama has balanced support for Second Amendment rights while emphasizing enforcement of existing laws and a national background check system rather than new controls.

The president has not mentioned gun control in any of his State of the Union addresses, including the 2011 address just days after the Tucson shooting.  Meanwhile, his administration has expanded gun rights in some areas, allowing possession in national parks and on Amtrak. He has also backed off a 2008 campaign pledge to push for permanent reinstatement of the expired assault weapons ban.

 “The president believes we need to take common sense measures that protect the Second Amendment rights of Americans while ensuring that those who should not have guns under existing laws do not get them,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters today aboard Air Force One. “We’re making progress in that regard in terms of improving the volume and quality of information on background checks but I have nothing additional on that for you.”