Quotes on the Virginia Tech shooting

"Today the university was struck with a tragedy that we consider of monumental proportions. The university is shocked and indeed horrified." — Virginia Tech President Charles Steger.

"Schools should be places of safety and sanctuary and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community.

"It is a very tragic day for us in Virginia. My reaction was just shock. My first thought was just how tragic this was for the university." — Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

"None of us really want to stay here tonight. I will come back, I won't be happy about staying in my room knowing something happened three floors above me." — Virginia Tech freshman Chaille Godinez, who was heading with nine others to a friend's house 30 miles away in Roanoke.

"I don't care what people think about it, to the left or to the right. There are too many guns in our society. Too many children have lost their lives in this great country." — Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

"It's one of the biggest modern day tragedies we've known. We must double our efforts to reduce easy access to guns and take more seriously the need to address mental disorders and mental depression." — The Rev. Jesse Jackson.