Branstad: U.S. needs stronger response to terrorism

DES MOINES - In the wake of a mass shooting that claimed 49 victims' lives and left dozens more injured, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday called for a more forceful response to terrorists - both verbally and militarily - and did not rule out support for a law that would prevent individuals on terror watch lists from purchasing weapons.

A shooter killed 49 people and injured dozens more early Sunday at a club in Orlando, Florida. A federal official said the shooter pledged allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group in a 911 call moments before the shooting.

Branstad started his weekly meeting with Iowa reporters Monday morning by expressing his condolences to the victims and their families, and he called for flags in Iowa to be flown half-staff until Thursday.

Branstad deflected questions about public statements and social media posts made by Donald Trump, the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee. Branstad instead criticized Democratic President Barack Obama for his handling of the Islamic State.

'(Trump's) problem, as far as I'm concerned, is Obama has consistently denied the seriousness of this threat that has grown and grown, and I believe the leader of this country needs to stand up and have the guts to say we have Islamic extremists that are committed to killing us,” Branstad said. 'I just think the leader of the country ought to have the guts to say what it is. That doesn't condemn every Muslim. But it does say there is a certain radical element of Islam that is committed to destroying our way of life and killing as many people as possible.”

Branstad also said he thinks the U.S. military should take a more active role in combating the Islamic State.

'I don't think we can continue to be on the defensive,” Branstad said. 'I think we have to go after them in a much more dramatic way where they are in Iraq and Syria and Libya and other countries.”

Media reports said the Orlando shooter had been twice interviewed by the FBI before this weekend's shooting.

Branstad on Monday said he did not think more gun control laws are appropriate, but he did not rule out supporting a law that would prevent individuals on federal terror watch lists from purchasing weapons.

When asked if such a law should be put in place, Branstad said, 'I think we do need to seriously review our procedures in dealing with people that are making threats, be it on the internet or in person, just because of the need to protect the safety of our citizens.”

'We put people on a watch list and restrict their travel by airplane,” Branstad said. 'It seems to me that we need to be looking at this very seriously in order to protect the citizens of this country.”

Branstad also said he would like to see better communication between the FBI and people in charge of gun permits.