Conan O’Brien Responds to Orlando Massacre: “To come out here and tell jokes, just, it’s really not possible.” (video)

Conan O’Brien Responds to Orlando Massacre

June 13, 2016 – Conan O’Brien opened his show this evening with what is becoming a familiar moment for late-night hosts as they try perform their comedic duties during a time of tragedy.

“Our goal obviously, night after night, is to be funny and silly if you’re in the mood for that, late at night. However, sometimes, events are so horrifying and bleak that to come out here and tell jokes, just, it’s really not possible. Tonight sadly is one of those nights. At a time when we think we’ve heard the worst stories about senseless violence in our country, that it couldn’t possibly get worse, the news out of Orlando yesterday is still impossible to fathom. That so many people can lose their lives so quickly because of one person’s demented rage will never make sense and God help us if it ever does.”

“I am not a pundit.”

“I am not a pundit, I am not an expert and always made it a policy to stick to my job, and keep my opinions to myself. I have really tried very hard over the years not to bore you with what I think. However I am a the father of two, and I like to believe I have a shred of common sense and I simply do not understand why anybody in this country is allowed to purchase and own a semi-automatic assault rifle. It makes no sense to me. These are weapons of war and they have no place in civilian life.”

O’Brien later continued:

“These mass shooting are happening so often now that lamenting them afterwards is becoming a national ritual. I do not know what the answer is,  but I wanted to take just a moment here tonight to agree with the rapidly growing sentiment in America that it’s time to grow up and figure this out.”

The Conan host acknowledged the suffering of those in Orlando and provided the fundraising link shown here: www.GoFundMe.com/PulseVictimsFund

Watch Conan O’Brien’s somber monologue here courtesy of TBS: