Warriors' Steve Kerr uses White House visit to thank President Obama for gun control efforts

Written By Alec Brzezinski
(Getty Images)

Warriors coach Steve Kerr on Thursday lauded President Barack Obama for addressing a hot-button issue in American politics.

"I thanked him for his work on gun control, which is an important political issue for me and my family," Kerr said during the team's visit to the White House, via the San Jose Mercury News. "We believe very strongly there needs to be greater measures, so how often am I going to get the chance to thank the president for something that he's working on? He seemed very appreciative.

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"It's an important issue for us. I know it's a very hot topic. There's a great divide, but I'm on his side."

Kerr's father, Malcolm, was shot and killed in 1984 by gunmen in Lebanon, where he served as president of the American University of Beirut.

MORE: Obama praised NBA's campaign against gun violence

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, the reigning NBA MVP, has also spoken out about gun violence with fellow teammate Draymond Green. Curry appeared in an ad with other NBA players advocating for the gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety.

"To be able to use the platform that we have, I think that's very important," Curry told reporters. "It just starts a dialogue of hopefully of how we can make a change that would not only protect everybody in our society, but . . . You can't bring those people back, so it's just a matter of raising as much awareness as you can."

The Warriors were honored by the president for winning the NBA championship last season.