Obama Pushes for Stricter Gun Control

According to ABC news, President Barack Obama addressed curbing gun violence Wednesday, as more victims of the Newtown school shooting are laid to rest.

President Obama did not make any major policy announcements during this address, but he did announce the creation of a new inter-agency task force on gun policy. It will be headed up by Vice President Joe Biden and will tackle what has now turned into a major gun control debate in the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut.

The president asked the new team to offer "concrete proposals" to reduce gun violence no later than January. He said after he receives recommendations from Biden's group, he will push legislation "without delay." The president is urging Congress to hold votes on the bill. The team will include members of Obama's administration and outside groups.

"The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing," Mr. Obama said. "The fact that we can't prevent every act of violence doesn't mean we can't steadily reduce the violence."

Here is a summary of President Obama’s speech on gun control from 24/7 Wallstreet:

"More Americans have died from gun violence since the massacre last Friday… Challenging old assumptions and this needs to lead to action… There is no law that can protect against all violence… Medical care efforts need to be pursued… The fact that the issue is complex cannot be an excuse… Obama asked VP Biden to come up with a set of concrete proposals no later than January… Not a study that is a report in 6 months… Biden wrote the 1994 crime bill that included an assault weapons ban… there is a growing consensus to build from to support banning sales of assault rifles and high-capacity ammo clips and background checks… the ATF is also bein encouraged to participate… the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms… the vast majority of gun ownership is responsible, but the vast majority is likely to support law-breakers from buying a weapon of war and for people to get military-style weapons so easily… I will use all the power of this office to help prevent tragedies of this sort even if not all can be prevented… This effort requires the help of the American people… need to stand up and say “enough!” on behalf of our kids…"

For the first time since the tragedy, the National Rifle Association is responding to calls for more gun control. The organization says it will offer meaningful contributions to make sure something like this never happens again. The group will be holding a news conference on Friday.