US gun debate: Obama unveils gun control proposals
US gun debate: Obama unveils gun control proposals
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama has unveiled sweeping gun control proposals, setting the stage for a showdown with firearms rights advocates.
President Barack Obama has unveiled a raft of sweeping gun control proposals, setting the stage for a showdown with firearms rights advocates.
Mr Obama called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and wider background checks on gun buyers.
Mr Obama called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and wider background checks on gun buyers.
The Democratic president also signed 23 executive-order measures, which do not require congressional approval.
The Democratic president also signed 23 executive actions, which do not require congressional approval.
Mr Obama said gun-control reforms could not wait any longer, after last month's school massacre in Connecticut.
Mr Obama said gun-control reforms could not wait any longer, after last month's school massacre in Connecticut.
"While there is no law or set of laws that can prevent every senseless act of violence completely, no piece of legislation that will prevent every tragedy, every act of evil," he said, "if there's even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there's even one life that can be saved, then we've got an obligation to try."
He unveiled the proposals at the White House on Wednesday, flanked by children who wrote him letters after December's Newtown shooting, which left 20 children and six teachers dead.
Mr Obama unveiled the new proposals at the White House on Wednesday, flanked by children who wrote him letters after December's Newtown school shooting, which left 26 dead.
Mr Obama said: "If there's even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there's even one life that can be saved, then we've got an obligation to try."
'Tough battle'
'Gin up fear'
During the press conference, the president urged Congress:
He urged Congress:
to ban "military-style" assault weapons such as those used in several recent mass shootings
impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds
introduce background checks on all gun sales; currently private sales and some sales at gun shows are exempt
pass a ban on possession and sale of armour-piercing bullets
introduce new gun-trafficking laws
Finally approve the appointment of the head of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Mr Obama added he would sign a directive so that government agencies can conduct research into gun crime
to reintroduce an expired ban on "military-style" assault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings
limit ammunition magazines to 10 rounds
introduce background checks on all gun sales; currently private sales and some sales at gun shows, constituting about 40% of the national total, are exempt
pass a ban on possession and sale of armour-piercing bullets
introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals
finally approve the appointment of the head of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Among the unilateral steps Mr Obama pledged to take was to end a ban on gun-violence research by a prominent federal agency.
Mr Obama also signed 23 unilateral orders, including an end to a ban on gun-violence research by a prominent federal agency, as well as a measure promoting responsible gun ownership.
Mr Obama acknowledged his legislative push would encounter stiff opposition in Congress.
But he acknowledged his legislative push would encounter stiff opposition in Congress.
"This will be difficult," he said. "I will put everything I've got into this."
"This will be difficult," he said.
Even before his second term begins, Barack Obama is about to throw down a big gauntlet. No-one expected gun control to be so high on his list of priorities, but the killings at Newtown seem to have changed everything.
"There will be pundits and politicians and special interest lobbyists publicly warning of a tyrannical all-out assault on liberty, not because that's true, but because they want to gin up fear or higher ratings or revenue for themselves.
The president knows he faces a daunting challenge - there's little appetite in Congress for major gun control legislation. But Mr Obama seems determined to try to shame Congress into action. He'll be surrounded by children when he unveils his plans, a device that could prove as controversial as the measures themselves.
"And behind the scenes, they'll do everything they can to block any common-sense reform and make sure nothing changes whatsoever."
He may cite the example of New York state - which has just passed one of the toughest gun ownership laws in the country - as evidence that changes can be made to the law. But opponents of new legislation are mobilising and gun sales have soared since Newtown. For the first time in almost 20 years, the stage is set for a bitter fight over America's gun laws.
The US has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the world. The second amendment of the US constitution states, with qualifications, that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed".
The new proposals are the result of meetings between a task force led by Vice-President Joe Biden and groups from across the political spectrum, White House aides said.
Although the meaning of the clause is still debated, many gun-rights advocates read it absolutely and oppose any curbs on access to weapons.
The new White House proposals are the result of meetings between a task force led by Vice-President Joe Biden and groups from across the political spectrum, White House aides said.
Mr Biden met gun control and firearms rights advocates, entertainment and video game industry figures, parents of shooting victims and law enforcement officials.
Mr Biden met gun control and firearms rights advocates, entertainment and video game industry figures, parents of shooting victims and law enforcement officials.
The task force also consulted the nation's top gun lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has repeatedly vowed to fight any attempts to limit access to guns or ammunition.
In the days after the Newtown shooting, the NRA proposed stationing armed guards in every school in America. The group says it has signed up more than 100,000 members since the massacre.
'Repugnant and cowardly'
'Repugnant and cowardly'
On Wednesday, href="http://nrastandandfight.com/" >the NRA released a web advert attacking the president as "an elitist hypocrite" because his daughters are protected by armed guards at their school in Washington DC. But the ad accused him of opposing armed guards in every school and favours "gun-free" school zones.
The task force also consulted the nation's top gun lobby, the National Rifle Association (NRA), which says it has signed up more than 100,000 members since the Newtown massacre.
The White House condemned the ad as "repugnant and cowardly".
On Wednesday, Mr Obama proposed freeing up law enforcement funds for schools to hire 1,000 new armed police, school psychologists, social workers or other staff trained to prevent violence.
The White House said the ad was "repugnant and cowardly".
On Tuesday, New York state comfortably passed the first gun control law since December's school shooting in Newtown. Supporters said the state's firearms restrictions were now the tightest in the nation.
On Wednesday, Mr Obama also proposed freeing up law enforcement funds for schools to hire 1,000 new armed police, school psychologists, social workers or other staff trained to prevent violence.
Those measures include a wider ban on assault weapons, a law limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines, and provisions to keep guns from mentally ill people who make threats.
The White House proposals do not go quite as far as a law passed in New York state on Tuesday.
Some gun owners will also have to register them with authorities.
Those measures include a wider ban on assault weapons and a law limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines.
There are also provisions to keep guns from mentally ill people who make threats, while some gun owners will have to register them with authorities.