CNN

April 5th, 2013

Gov. Perry tells Wolf Blitzer background checks are a “kneejerk reaction”

Today on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, Texas Gov. Rick Perry sat down for an exclusive interview.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

Gov. Perry on gun control:
“I think what’s going on here is that the usual kneejerk reaction to we got to do something to the gun violence that’s occurring.  I wish people were as focused on the mental health side of this.”

On universal background checks:
“These individuals who want to pass laws as a kneejerk reaction and then go home and think that they have addressed — I have to deal with the reality as the governor of the state of Texas.  And universal background checks is not going to save one life, I will suggest to you. And that is a panacea.

On the lack of dialogue between Gov. Perry and Pres. Obama:
“As a matter of fact, I handed him a letter some two or three years ago on the tarmac at the Austin airport about that issue, about border security. And yet to get a response.”

On a possible 2016 presidential run:
“Our legislature will be leaving in approximately 55 days… at that particular point in time, I’ll sit down with friends and family and make a decision about 2016.”