California: December 4, 2015. (PCP) The Council of Pakistan American Affairs COPAA President and Board Members in a press release have said “We are deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives in San Bernadino shooting. Our heart goes out to families of the victims and our prayers are with them in this hour of need. This tragic event should not have happened and everything that needs to be done must be done to prevent this from happening in future” The Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA) condemns the barbaric mass shooting that occurred on Wednesday December 2nd, 2015 in San Bernardino, California at the Inland Regional Center. COPAA extends its deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. Whether this was a matter of "workplace violence" or "extremist ideology," what transpired was horrendous and unequivocally unjustifiable. It is evident that now more than ever, we must work together to counter extremism. Our heavy hearts are with the families of the victims. Below are comments from President Obama. As the San Bernadino shooting was unfolding, Pres. Obama once again made the call for further gun control laws as the best means to thwart attacks in the future. During a previously scheduled interview with CBS' Nora O'Donnell, the president said, "We don't yet know what the motives of the shooters are but what we do know is that there are steps we can take to make Americans safer," adding, "We should never think that this is just something that just happens in the ordinary course of events because it doesn't happen with the same frequency in other countries." The president said the safety steps that could be taken can be likened to the "no-fly" list that prevents certain people from getting on commercial airplanes."People can't get on planes but those same people who we don't allow to fly could go into a store right now in the United States and buy a firearm and there's nothing that we can do to stop them," he said. "That's a law that needs to be changed." During the interview, the president specifically mentioned strengthening background checks and adding gun "safety" laws. Obama has called for universal background checks in the past, which would require private individuals to perform checks before selling, gifting or trading their guns to anyone.