Rep. Jeff Flake: Congress "Will Take Threats More Seriously"

On Monday's Washington Unplugged Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), a colleague of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), spoke with CBS News political analyst John Dickerson and expressed shock and disbelief over Saturday's tragic shooting in Tucson that left 6 dead and Giffords in critical condition. Flake told Dickerson, "No one could fathom this kind of thing happening, Arizona or anywhere."

Flake also noted the reaction among fellow members of Congress and acknowledged that in light of Saturday's events members of Congress are taking all threats very seriously. "We all receive threats," he told Dickerson, "Everybody has turned some of these threats that rise to a certain level over to federal authorities and they're investigated but we also sift through a lot of threats that are considered lesser threats and some of them are just dismissed, that's just a crackpot, but I can tell you, I think all of us will take threats that are made more seriously now."

When asked if he will increase security, as Congressmen Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) have said they will do, Flake said, "We are talking about some changes, obviously nobody wants to get away from the system we have where members of Congress can move about freely and meet with people freely."

Watch Monday's Washington Unplugged comprehensive coverage of the "Tragedy in Tucson" above.

Rep. Chaffetz Says He Feels More "Secure," "Comfortable" Carrying Gun
Special Section: Tragedy in Tucson