US President to visit Colorado shooting victims

Gun control debate

Much like the Arizona shooting, the Colorado tragedy has spurred calls for stricter gun control in a country known its flourishing gun culture. But because of the strength of gun rights advocates, few predict changes in the laws.

In their initial comments on the Aurora shootings, neither Obama nor Romney mentioned gun control, which is considered politically toxic in an election year.

"Even as we come to learn how this happened and who's responsible, we may never understand what leads anyone to terrorize their fellow human beings," Obama said in his weekend address. "Such evil is senseless - beyond reason," he said.

Police took James Eagan Holmes, 24, into custody on Friday in a parking lot behind the cinema. He is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday.

The shooting evoked memories of the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, also a Denver suburb.

"If there's anything to take away from this tragedy, it's a reminder that life is fragile. Our time here is limited and it is precious," the president said in his address.

Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner echoed the president's sentiment in the weekly Republican address.

"I know that when confronted with evil we cannot comprehend, Americans pull together and embrace our national family more tightly," Boehner said.

"We join President Obama in sending condolences and prayers to the loved ones of those who were killed and wounded. And we all say 'thank God' for the police, the first responders, the doctors, and the nurses whose swift and heroic efforts saved lives."