President Barack Obama told the crowd gathered at a Boston memorial service on Monday that those responsible for Monday's bombings "picked the wrong city" to terrorize.

"If they sought to intimidate us, to terrorize us, to shake us from those values ... that define us as Americans, it should be pretty clear by now that they picked the wrong city to do it to," Obama said. "Not here in Boston."

Also read: Obama Calls Boston Bombings 'Terrorism' in Second Briefing (Video)

The president made the comment during a 20-minute speech centering on the nation's support for the wounded city, as well as one of his favorite topics: Hope.

"We may be momentarily knocked off our feet, but we'll pick ourselves up. We'll keep going," Obama said to a thunder of applause. "We will finish the race."

Despite the attack that killed three people and injured over 170 others, the president promised another Boston Marathon and received a standing ovation from those gathered to honor the victims.

"The world will return to this great American city to run even harder and to cheer even louder for the 118th Boston Marathon," Obama said. "Bet on it."

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President Barack Obama says he feels "personally responsible" for passing stricter gun control legislation on behalf of the families still grieving lost loved ones from the Newtown shootings.

"I feel personally responsible the same way I hope every parent out there feels responsible for all our kids," he told Savannah Guthrie in a "Today Show" interview that aired Wednesday morning. 

Also read: Obama Calls Boston Bombings 'Terrorism' in Second Briefing (Video)

The pre-recorded interview was taped on Monday, just hours before two explosions at the Boston Marathon killed three and injured over 170 others.

The seemingly senseless attack at the annual foot race -- where a group of eight runners participated to raise money for the Newtown Strong Fund, nonetheless -- has effectively plunged the country into yet another somber mood just months after the Newtown shootings did.

Gun-control legislation has since risen to the forefront in Washington, D.C., with a Senate vote on an amendment to expand background checks on gun purchases scheduled to start Wednesday afternoon.

The President did not say whetherhe was confident the bill would pass, but he did stress the importance of the issue. 

"The key thing for me, is ...