In the immediate aftermath of the horrible mass slaying in Roseburg, Ore., politicians were quick to call for new laws ostensibly to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. Speaking only hours after the shootings, President Obama made an emotional appeal for tighter gun control.

“So tonight as those of us who are lucky enough to hug our kids a little bit closer are thinking about the families who aren’t so fortunate, I would ask the American people to think about how they can get our government to change these laws,” Mr. Obama said. ”And to save lives.”

Yet nowhere in his twelve-minute address did he cite any specifics as to what new law might actually prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The president is not alone. Many politicians have taken to the air to call for new gun laws. Yet when pressed on what law might actually prove effective, no one seems to know. Astronaut and husband of Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly, said, ”You know, with individual events, I mean, sometimes there isn’t a specific law that you can point to that would prevent a tragedy like this from happening.”

When National Review’s Charles C. W. Cooke pressed Mark Halperin on what specifically should be done during a Morning Joe panel, the “With All Due Respect” host replied, “Public policy people should come up with ideas.”

But a lack of specific solutions isn’t halting the urgency. After conceding no law could have prevented the Roseburg tragedy, Senator Ben Cardin (D., Md.) still insisted laws should be passed: “Just saying well, there’s nothing we can do — that’s not acceptable. Congress needs to act.”

Which makes it hard not to ask, Who exactly are these elected officials trying to protect – the American people, or their own political careers?

— Tom S. Elliott is the founder and editor of Grabien.