Gov. Chris Christie reaffirmed his position that now is not the appropriate time to talk about gun laws in the state and nation.

The governor, speaking on 101.5 FM, said he would not be lured into a discussion on gun control in the immediate wake of the movie theatre massacre in Colorado that left 12 people dead and nearly 60 others injured.

Christie said “there’s plenty of time to debate the merits” of gun control, but it’s appropriate to “keep a respectful distance” by allowing families to first mourn the loss of their loved ones.

The governor’s on-air statements echoed similar comments he made during a news conference Monday, when he told reporters he’s “disturbed by politicians who, in the immediate aftermath of this type of tragedy, try to grandstand on it” by making it a political issue.

During the Tuesday evening radio show, Christie said he approved of how President Barack Obama and presidential hopeful Mitt Romney refrained from making the shooting a political issue and are respecting the families’ right to mourn the losses of their loved ones.

“That’s what leaders are supposed to do,” he said. “Not go on their horse and ride their partisan horse.”

Christie was also asked to respond to comments made by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on CNN Monday night.

Bloomberg, an outspoken advocate for tighter gun laws, said during a CNN interview that he wonders why police officers nationwide don’t threaten to strike until tougher gun laws are passed.

“Well,” Christie said, “Let them go on strike in New York and we’ll see how that works.”

The governor said Bloomberg should show some “restraint” in making the Colorado killings a political push for tighter gun laws in the wake of the shootings.