Obama calls on Congress to ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines

By Scott Wilson and Philip Rucker, Updated: Thursday, December 20, 9:33 AM President Obama on Wednesday urged Congress to vote on measures banning the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring background checks before any firearm sale, part of an emerging White House response to a massacre last week at a Connecticut elementary school. The potential gun-control measures, which will be the focus of a working group led by Vice President Biden, mark the most specific proposals to date from Obama to deal with what he called a gun violence epidemic plaguing the United States. 4645 Comments Weigh InCorrections? Personal Post Gallery What some pro-gun lawmakers are saying after Newtown: In the aftermath of the shooting, a number of NRA-supported legislators have come out in support of new gun laws or signaled a willingness to budge. Here’s what they’ve said. Confusing Asperger's with mental illness, and mental illness with evil Melinda Henneberger DEC 19 SHE THE PEOPLE | Some of our most beloved biases have come out in the days since Lanza opened fire. What if gunmakers funded mental health care instead of lobbying? Transcript: President Obama’s remarks on gun control policy Obama endorses gun restrictions in wake of Conn. massacre Scott Wilson and Philip Rucker 9:33 AM ET He seeks to ban assault weapons and high-volume magazines, and calls for required background checks. Congress and the courage question Aaron Blake 2:59 AM ET THE FIX | Obama said the GOP needs to summon "courage" to vote for gun control. But that’s not their only tough vote coming up. Twelve facts about mass shootings Ezra Klein DEC 15 WONKBLOG | What follows isn't an agenda, but a set of facts to inform a dialogue we desperately need to have. Remembering the victims DEC 18 A look at the 27 people killed by a gunman in Newtown. The moves pleased gun-control advocates and many Democrats who have been disappointed with Obama’s inaction on the issue during his first term, which has included four mass shootings of civilians. Obama told reporters at the White House that he expected the group, which will feature key Cabinet secretaries, to bring him recommendations in January. He said he intends to discuss the issue in his State of the Union address. With the anger and sadness over Friday’s massacre at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school driving the issue at a busy moment in Washington, Obama vowed to act on concrete proposals “without delay” as several Hill Democrats urged Congress to do the same. “This time, the words need to lead to action,” Obama said, adding: “We know this is a complex issue that stirs deeply held passions and political divides. . . . But the fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing.” The task force comes after a gunman with semiautomatic weapons killed 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. Adam Lanza, 20, fatally shot his mother at their home before the attack at the school; he killed himself afterward. White House officials say the package of proposals is almost certain to include new restrictions on guns, particularly assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. But aides said it will also likely include mental health initiatives and, as Obama noted Wednesday, a close look “at a culture that, all too often, glorifies guns and violence.” Although background checks are required for many weapons purchases, there are several loopholes, including for people buying firearms at gun shows. Obama reiterated his support for the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms but said the country’s leaders need to find ways to keep “weapons of war” out of the hands of the irresponsible few. “There is a big chunk of space between what the Second Amendment means and having no rules at all, and that space is what Joe’s going to be working on to try to identify where we’ll find some common ground,” Obama said. When a reporter asked “Where have you been?” on the gun issue since taking office, Obama grew defensive, noting that he has dealt with a financial collapse, the struggling auto industry, health care, two wars and other major issues. “I don’t think I’ve been on vacation,” Obama said. “I think all of us have to do some reflection on how we prioritize what we do here in Washington.”