‘We’ve become numb to this’: Obama speaks out after mass shooting in Oregon

U.S. President Barack Obama has had to say this before. And he’s tired of it.

“Somehow, this has become routine. The reporting is routine. My response here at this podium ends up being routine. The conversation in the aftermath of it. We’ve become numb to this.”

During an emotional press conference Thursday evening, Obama offered condolences to the victims of a mass shooting at a community college in Oregon.

IN PHOTOS: Gunman killed, 13 dead in Oregon college shooting

Visibly frustrated, Obama said “our thoughts and prayers are not enough” to stem the death toll of mass shootings and gun violence in the U.S.

“In the coming days we’ll learn about the victims. Young men and women who were studying and learning and working hard, their eyes set on the future, their dreams on what they could make of their lives. And America will wrap everyone who is grieving with our prayers and our loves,” Obama said.

“Each time we see one of these mass shootings our thoughts and prayers are not enough. It’s not enough. It does not capture the heartache and grief and anger that we should feel. And it does nothing to prevent this carnage from being inflicted someplace else in America.”

Douglas County Sheriff Jon Hanlin told reporters there were 10 deaths and seven injured during the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore. Initial reports had indicated 13 people were killed with 20 injured.

READ MORE: Why do Americans keep shooting each other to death?

Obama’s tenure in office has been plagued one mass shooting after another.

Many thought that after 20 six- and seven-year-olds were shot to death in their elementary school in 2012, Obama would have the political leverage to push through at least modest gun control legislation.

WATCH: Douglas County Sheriff confirms 10 dead in Oregon community college shooting

But nothing happened.

On Thursday Obama again called for “common sense” legislation aimed at preventing gun violence and criticized gun rights groups and opponents who for politicizing the tragic shootings.

“Each time this happens, I am going to bring this up,” he said.

“This is a political choice that we make, to allow this to happen every few months in America.”

Obama challenged voters to tell politicians to make gun safety a priority.

“If you think this is a problem, then you should expect your elected officials to reflect your views,” he said.

“I hope and pray that I don’t have to come out again during my tenure as president to offer my condolences to families in these circumstances. But based on my experience as president, I can’t guarantee that — and that’s terrible to say. And it can change.”