There has been immense uncertainty and increasing fear in the wake of the San Bernardino shooting that occurred last week. As a result, President Obama decided to issue an address from the Oval Office last night to update the American public.

He began in a solemn tone, as he noted the tragedy of the San Bernardino shooting and recognized those who had lost their lives. While the FBI is still gleaning the details behind the mass shooting, one thing has remained certain: there is a threat lingering over the nation.

Obama opened his address stating that the couple responsible for the merciless attack, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, have not been linked to the instructions of any major terror organization. However, the two were zealots, upholding the practices of radical Islam. Obama then informed the American public that the husband and wife had hoarded assault weapons and pipe bombs.

It was previously unclear whether the mass shooting was a result of a workplace conflict or an act of terrorism against the United States. President Obama clarified that the shooting was indeed an act of terrorism.

The president then began reassuring the American public by stating that we, as a country, have increased our national security and defense.

“Intelligence and law enforcement agencies have disrupted countless plots here and overseas and worked around the clock to keep us safe,” Obama said. “Our military encountered terrorism professionals and relentlessly pursued terrorism networks overseas, disrupting safe havens in several different countries, killing Osama Bin Laden and decimating al Qaeda’s leadership.”

However, a new era of terrorism has become increasingly prevalent in the modern age. In the post 9/11 world, America has strengthened its security and defense strategies. In spite of  this, mass shootings, a simpler act of terrorism, are becoming more and more common. President Obama then acknowledged the previous shootings that Americans have become all too familiar with.

Obama then spoke directly about ISIL, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, who have risen in the Middle East, particularly in Syria. He notes that the internet and propaganda are both utilized by these terror cells to “poison the minds of people like the Boston Marathon bombers and the San Bernardino killers.”

A sense of optimism and a glimpse of hope was then given from the president. He reassured the public that the nation will undoubtedly overcome the threats of terrorism by simultaneously destroying ISIL and any other terrorist threat.

And how will we go about decimating these potential threats? Obama made it clear that our military will continue to hunt down terrorists and investigate all threats against the country. Our military will also continue its campaign in the fight against ISIL with the help of allies such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The United States will also provide weapons and armory to those in the Middle East who are fighting ISIL in their homelands.

Obama briefly discussed steps Congress should take in the matter of gun control.

“To begin with, Congress should act to make sure no one on a no-fly list should be able to buy a gun,” Obama said. “What could possibly be the argument for allowing a terrorist suspect  to buy a semi-automatic weapon?”

He then proceeded with the discussion of gun control by saying that it should be more difficult for people to have access to assault weaponry. This has become an increasingly controversial topic in the country, especially throughout the ongoing presidential race. Most of the GOP members are striving to uphold the second amendment, while many of the democrats like Obama have their ambitions set on stricter gun laws.

Obama concluded his message on a more positive note suggesting America should not turn its back on all Muslims. The basis of American culture should guarantee equality among all citizens, and President Obama urged this last night.

While many things still remain unclear about the San Bernardino shooting and other looming terror threats, one thing was made clear by President Obama: America will stay united and preserve the safety and values of our strong nation.