With prospects still uncertain for getting gun-control measures passed through Congress, President Barack Obama travels to Denver Wednesday to try again to pressure lawmakers to take action.
In Colorado, he will urge voters to show their support for expanded background checks and other limits on firearms by contacting their representatives on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Obama promised after the Newtown, Conn., shooting massacre to use the full force of his office to enact gun-control measures. But with legislation a work in progress, the White House now faces the question of whether there is more the president can do to build support.
Proposals to ban high-capacity gun magazines and certain semiautomatic rifles, often called assault weapons, have gained little support. A bill that would expand background checks—once thought to be the most viable of the White House’s proposals—faces uncertain prospects, even in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
The president’s most visible efforts thus far have been aimed at rallying public support with campaign-style events, an approach that so far hasn’t spurred movement in Congress.
Some have criticized him for not reaching out to more lawmakers in private, personal appeals. On Capitol Hill, some Republicans said they have heard little or nothing from the White House, and they say that public chiding from the president won’t build support for his measures.
A Republican Senate leadership aide said the president could make more progress by sitting down with lawmakers, particularly moderate Democrats who have been supportive of gun rights, and building consensus around a couple key measures.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D., Calif.), who said he had been in frequent contact with the White House about the issue, said the president needs to employ a two-pronged approach—working with lawmakers and making the case to the public.
“He needs to talk to everybody,” Mr. Thompson said.
Administration officials said Mr. Obama had talked with lawmakers about gun measures during the deficit-reduction talks he held several weeks ago. The president in recent weeks also called Sens. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) and Mark Kirk (R., Ill.), who are part of a bipartisan group of senators negotiating legislation and who are considered key votes on the gun issue.
“This process continues to move forward, negotiations and conversations continue to take place, and it is essential that Congress act,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday. “This is not easy stuff, and the president has been clear about that from the beginning.”
The bipartisan group is still negotiating the details of a bill that would expand background checks, a Democratic Senate aide said Tuesday. Mr. Kirk and Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Charles Schumer of New York have been trying to reach a deal with Mr. Coburn that would expand background checks as a requirement for most gun purchases, including private sales.
Currently, the checks are required only for sales by federally licensed dealers. The legislation would exempt certain gun transfers, such as between immediate family members.
The Senate is expected to take up the issue after Congress returns from recess next week, but months of negotiations haven’t yet yielded a deal on background checks between Democrats and Mr. Coburn, whose support could sway other Republicans.
A proposal to ban the certain types of semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines may be offered as an amendment, but it isn’t expected to pass.
While Mr. Obama has continued to push for his proposals, the National Rifle Association has continued to oppose new gun-control laws.
An NRA-backed task force on Tuesday laid out recommendations for improving school security, calling for a model training program that would allow some school personnel to carry firearms on campus.
Asa Hutchinson, a former Republican congressman from Arkansas and head of the task force, delivered to the NRA a 225-page report on school safety. It includes eight recommendations for making schools safer. Mr. Hutchinson noted in a news conference that the prescription likely to garner the most attention was the call for arming teachers and school staff who complete extensive training.
The task force didn’t address expanding background checks or other gun-control measures, and Mr. Hutchinson said he was focused on school safety.
–Kristina Peterson and Andrew Ackerman contributed to this article.
In Colorado, he will urge voters to show their support for expanded background checks and other limits on firearms by contacting their representatives on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Obama promised after the Newtown, Conn., shooting massacre to use the full force of his office to enact gun-control measures. But with legislation a work in progress, the White House now faces the question of whether there is more the president can do to build support.
Proposals to ban high-capacity gun magazines and certain semiautomatic rifles, often called assault weapons, have gained little support. A bill that would expand background checks—once thought to be the most viable of the White House’s proposals—faces uncertain prospects, even in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
The president’s most visible efforts thus far have been aimed at rallying public support with campaign-style events, an approach that so far hasn’t spurred movement in Congress.
Some have criticized him for not reaching out to more lawmakers in private, personal appeals. On Capitol Hill, some Republicans said they have heard little or nothing from the White House, and they say that public chiding from the president won’t build support for his measures.
A Republican Senate leadership aide said the president could make more progress by sitting down with lawmakers, particularly moderate Democrats who have been supportive of gun rights, and building consensus around a couple key measures.
Rep. Mike Thompson (D., Calif.), who said he had been in frequent contact with the White House about the issue, said the president needs to employ a two-pronged approach—working with lawmakers and making the case to the public.
“He needs to talk to everybody,” Mr. Thompson said.
Administration officials said Mr. Obama had talked with lawmakers about gun measures during the deficit-reduction talks he held several weeks ago. The president in recent weeks also called Sens. Tom Coburn (R., Okla.) and Mark Kirk (R., Ill.), who are part of a bipartisan group of senators negotiating legislation and who are considered key votes on the gun issue.
“This process continues to move forward, negotiations and conversations continue to take place, and it is essential that Congress act,” White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday. “This is not easy stuff, and the president has been clear about that from the beginning.”
The bipartisan group is still negotiating the details of a bill that would expand background checks, a Democratic Senate aide said Tuesday. Mr. Kirk and Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Charles Schumer of New York have been trying to reach a deal with Mr. Coburn that would expand background checks as a requirement for most gun purchases, including private sales.
Currently, the checks are required only for sales by federally licensed dealers. The legislation would exempt certain gun transfers, such as between immediate family members.
The Senate is expected to take up the issue after Congress returns from recess next week, but months of negotiations haven’t yet yielded a deal on background checks between Democrats and Mr. Coburn, whose support could sway other Republicans.
A proposal to ban the certain types of semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines may be offered as an amendment, but it isn’t expected to pass.
While Mr. Obama has continued to push for his proposals, the National Rifle Association has continued to oppose new gun-control laws.
An NRA-backed task force on Tuesday laid out recommendations for improving school security, calling for a model training program that would allow some school personnel to carry firearms on campus.
Asa Hutchinson, a former Republican congressman from Arkansas and head of the task force, delivered to the NRA a 225-page report on school safety. It includes eight recommendations for making schools safer. Mr. Hutchinson noted in a news conference that the prescription likely to garner the most attention was the call for arming teachers and school staff who complete extensive training.
The task force didn’t address expanding background checks or other gun-control measures, and Mr. Hutchinson said he was focused on school safety.
–Kristina Peterson and Andrew Ackerman contributed to this article.