Strong support for stricter gun laws: Obama
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2012, Saturday
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US President Barack Obama said his administration has received an outpouring of support for stricter gun laws following last week's school shooting in Connecticut, telling respondents to an online petition, "We hear you."
The president said in a video released yesterday that he is encouraged that many gun owners have said there are steps the nation can take to prevent more deadly shootings, "steps that both protect our rights and protect our kids."
"I will do everything in my power as president to advance these efforts, because if there's even one thing we can do as a country to protect our children, we have a responsibility to try," Obama said.
He held a moment of silence yesterday morning at the White House marking one week since the shooting killed 20 children and six adults. The shooter also killed his mother and himself.
The president has challenged the National Rifle Association, the country's most powerful gun lobby, to "do some self-reflection" and join a broad effort to reduce gun violence. The organization said on Tuesday in a brief statement that it would offer "meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
In yesterday's video, Obama responded to a "We the People" petition on the White House website that allows the public to submit petitions. Nearly 200,000 people have urged Obama to address gun control in one petition, and petitions related to gun violence have amassed more than 400,000 signatures.
Obama has begun laying the groundwork for a push to tighten gun laws, address mental health needs and examine the glamorization of guns and violence.
Vice President Joe Biden is leading a group of administration officials and outside advisers to offer recommendations for Congress by January. Biden's group is considering reinstating a ban on military-style assault weapons, which expired in 2004, closing loopholes that allow gun buyers to avoid background checks and restricting high-capacity magazines.
Gun-control measures have faced strong opposition in Congress for the past decade, largely because of heavy lobbying by the NRA and support for the constitutional right to bear arms.
The president said in a video released yesterday that he is encouraged that many gun owners have said there are steps the nation can take to prevent more deadly shootings, "steps that both protect our rights and protect our kids."
"I will do everything in my power as president to advance these efforts, because if there's even one thing we can do as a country to protect our children, we have a responsibility to try," Obama said.
He held a moment of silence yesterday morning at the White House marking one week since the shooting killed 20 children and six adults. The shooter also killed his mother and himself.
The president has challenged the National Rifle Association, the country's most powerful gun lobby, to "do some self-reflection" and join a broad effort to reduce gun violence. The organization said on Tuesday in a brief statement that it would offer "meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
In yesterday's video, Obama responded to a "We the People" petition on the White House website that allows the public to submit petitions. Nearly 200,000 people have urged Obama to address gun control in one petition, and petitions related to gun violence have amassed more than 400,000 signatures.
Obama has begun laying the groundwork for a push to tighten gun laws, address mental health needs and examine the glamorization of guns and violence.
Vice President Joe Biden is leading a group of administration officials and outside advisers to offer recommendations for Congress by January. Biden's group is considering reinstating a ban on military-style assault weapons, which expired in 2004, closing loopholes that allow gun buyers to avoid background checks and restricting high-capacity magazines.
Gun-control measures have faced strong opposition in Congress for the past decade, largely because of heavy lobbying by the NRA and support for the constitutional right to bear arms.
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