President Obama on Monday began the first serious push of his administration to attempt to reduce gun violence, directing Cabinet members to formulate a set of proposals that could include reinstating a ban on assault rifles.
The effort will be led by Vice President Biden, according to two people outside the government who have spoken to senior administration officials since Friday, when a gunman killed his mother and rampaged through Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., killing 20 children, six adults and himself.
Graphic
Post-ABC poll: Majority sees Connecticut shooting as societal problem
Debbi Wilgoren, Scott Wilson and David A. Fahrenthold
President Obama on Monday began the first serious push of his administration to attempt to reduce gun violence.
Eli Saslow and Emma Brown
Teaching has never been a dangerous job, but mass shootings have forever altered classrooms.
Peter Hermann and Michael S. Rosenwald
First victim of rampage collected guns, told landscaper she took son to firing range to practice his aim.
Chris Cillizza
MONDAY FIX | The national conversation is governed by a handful of knowns and unknowns.
Ezra Klein
WONKBLOG | What follows isn't an agenda, but a set of facts to inform a dialogue we desperately need to have.
The Washington Post
GRAPHIC | Two of the deadliest massacres happened this year, but 11 others also claimed lives.
The tentative steps ended a paralyzing debate within the administration over how hard to pursue gun-control legislation, which has been a politically perilous issue for many Democrats. There were signs Monday, however, that such fear was abating on the Democratic side of the aisle.
Democratic Sens. Harry M. Reid (Nev.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Mark R. Warner (Va.) made clear that Congress should consider a range of options to address the issue; all three have been strong supporters of gun rights. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) said she would introduce legislation that would reimpose the assault-rifle ban that lapsed in 2004.
“We need to accept the reality that we’re not doing enough to protect our citizens,” Reid, the Senate majority leader, said after a moment of silence on the Senate floor. “In the coming days and weeks, we’ll engage in a meaningful conversation and proper debate about how to change laws and culture that allow this violence to continue to grow. .
The effort will be led by Vice President Biden, according to two people outside the government who have spoken to senior administration officials since Friday, when a gunman killed his mother and rampaged through Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., killing 20 children, six adults and himself.
Graphic
Post-ABC poll: Majority sees Connecticut shooting as societal problem
Debbi Wilgoren, Scott Wilson and David A. Fahrenthold President Obama on Monday began the first serious push of his administration to attempt to reduce gun violence.
Eli Saslow and Emma Brown Teaching has never been a dangerous job, but mass shootings have forever altered classrooms.
Peter Hermann and Michael S. Rosenwald First victim of rampage collected guns, told landscaper she took son to firing range to practice his aim.
Chris Cillizza MONDAY FIX | The national conversation is governed by a handful of knowns and unknowns.
Ezra Klein WONKBLOG | What follows isn't an agenda, but a set of facts to inform a dialogue we desperately need to have.
The Washington PostGRAPHIC | Two of the deadliest massacres happened this year, but 11 others also claimed lives.
The tentative steps ended a paralyzing debate within the administration over how hard to pursue gun-control legislation, which has been a politically perilous issue for many Democrats. There were signs Monday, however, that such fear was abating on the Democratic side of the aisle.
Democratic Sens. Harry M. Reid (Nev.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.) and Mark R. Warner (Va.) made clear that Congress should consider a range of options to address the issue; all three have been strong supporters of gun rights. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) said she would introduce legislation that would reimpose the assault-rifle ban that lapsed in 2004.
“We need to accept the reality that we’re not doing enough to protect our citizens,” Reid, the Senate majority leader, said after a moment of silence on the Senate floor. “In the coming days and weeks, we’ll engage in a meaningful conversation and proper debate about how to change laws and culture that allow this violence to continue to grow. .