Gov. Andrew Cuomo spent Sunday engaged in various talks regarding gun control. In a statement, he blamed the federal government for failing to act on gun control measures following two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio this weekend.

“In the last 24 hours, this nation witnessed two mass shootings that left 29 people dead. Who was protecting the right of those 29 people to live their lives in peace? Where is the outrage?” Cuomo said. “Our country is under attack from within, and continuing to ignore what is happening around us will only lead to more bloodshed and more tragedy — all of it preventable.”

Cuomo in the last week signed several new gun control measures into law, including provisions that require locked storage of guns in homes in which children 16 and under live, preventing school districts from arming teachers and a ban on 3-D printed guns.

The governor discussed gun control Sunday afternoon on MSNBC with Kendis Gibson, who noted mass shootings are beginning to be a regular occurrence.

The anchor asked if anything could be done to prevent them, to which Cuomo referred to his winning passage of the SAFE Act in 2013 — a package of gun laws approved in wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.

"Yes, we have elections and elections are about choices and they're about policy choices. We can do something about it," Cuomo said to Gibson. "We had the Sandy Hook shooting, New York state responded immediately with the strongest gun control laws in the United States of America. We did that six years ago, it was called the SAFE Act."

Though, as Gibson pointed out, last week in Gilroy, California, a man brought weapons illegal in California from Nevada, injuring and killing many. To that, Cuomo said "that's a good point." 

"But that's why you need federal action. I can pass the strongest gun control laws in the United States but that doesn't stop someone from bringing a gun from the other state. But, the point is, something can be done. Change the laws," Cuomo said.

He went on to call-to-action the current Democratic presidential candidates, saying, "Tell me what you would do specifically, not generically."

Gibson asked Cuomo what was the cause behind these mass shootings and Cuomo said there were two elements at play — the first being categorized as racism, hatred, and anger.

"We have a virus of hate in this society that is breeding on the internet. You look at these shootings — this one looks like it was aimed at the Latino community. We've had anti-Semitic activity, we've had LGBTQ shootings — there's no doubt there is a virus spreading through our society," Cuomo said.

He went on to blame President Trump.

"I believe there is no doubt that virus is being fueled and incited by a lot of the rhetoric that comes from Washington. No one can say President Trump created racism and discrimination, it existed before President Trump, but I believe he has incited it, exploited it, and used it," Cuomo said.

The president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association advised against rushed judgments in a statement saying, “Before the investigation is even complete, we’re trying to find a cause ... We don’t know if mental illness was the cause, domestic, or foreign terrorism, anger, or drugs ... Until we are ready to look at this and attempt to find the cause, history will repeat itself.” 

Tamu Chambers a local professor of sociology at the Hudson Valley Community College said the nature of these attacks are redefining violence in America.

"Today with domestic terrorism that will be a next term used in text books based on people who feel they are superior or afraid," Chambers said Sunday.

Of the second element causing these instances of violence, Cuomo attributed its cause to the guns themselves.

"The instrumentality for that virus to enter into society is a gun. The injection point into society for that virus is a gun. A person who shouldn't have a gun, a gun that is too dangerous, and that is something we should address," Cuomo said.

Gibson's final question for Cuomo was simply: "Do you think this president is going to do anything about this?" to which Cuomo said, "No."

"Our hearts break for these families. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I’m sorry you live in a country with a Federal Government that allows this to happen and does nothing," Cuomo ended in a statement.

"When you know someone or the families that are being harmed by this welcome them, let them know you understand and see them as a human being," Chambers said.