LOCAL NEWS:

Pilot 'lucky' after dramatic Lynden plane crash

KEYWORD:

A   A   A

Posted: Tuesday, 18 December 2012 12:43PM

White House describes gun control measures Obama supports



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House spelled out some gun control measures on Tuesday that President Barack Obama would support in the aftermath of the Connecticut school massacre, including moves by a Democratic senator to reinstate an assault weapons ban.

At a memorial service on Sunday, Obama promised to address gun violence after a shooting rampage at a Connecticut elementary school that killed 26 people, including 20 children.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama would support U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein's effort to craft legislation to reinstate an assault weapons ban and would also back any law to close a loophole related to gun-show sales, he said.

"People have talked about high-capacity gun ammunition clips, for example, and that is something certainly that he would be interested in looking at," Carney added.

Obama spoke earlier in the day with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a gun rights advocate who said he would now be open to more regulation of military-style rifles like the one used in Newtown, Connecticut, on Friday.

"He is heartened, I should mention, by what we have all heard from some members of Congress who have been longtime opponents of gun control measures, common sense gun control measures like the assault weapons ban and the like," Carney said.

On Monday, Obama met with senior administration officials including Vice President Joe Biden, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about the issue.

"It's the beginning of a process where ... we will look for ways to address this problem in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown," Carney said.

"It's clear that as a nation we haven't done enough to address the scourge of gun violence," he said, reiterating that Obama wanted to move on the issue in the coming weeks.

Story & Photos Copyright 2012 Reuters

House lawmakers reach deal to revamp immigration


Prospects for passage of a major immigration bill has improved.

House votes to repeal Obamacare for 37th time


The Republican-controlled U.S. House voted to repeal Obamacare in a symbolic move.

Judge to hear insanity defense in theater shooting case


The judge who will hear the murder case against accused James Holmes has agreed to hear arguments.

Boston bombing suspect wrote message in boat


Accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev left a handwritten message.

Tornadoes rip through Texas, killing six


At least six people were killed when tornadoes ripped through a stretch of Texas.

As scandals mount, White House springs into damage control


With no sign of an end to three scandals, the White House launched a concerted effort at damage control.

Tax chief forced out in IRS scandal


Steven Miller resigned as the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service.

White House releases Benghazi attack emails


The White House released 100 pages of emails detailing discussion about deadly attacks in Benghazi.

Holder sidesteps lawmakers' questions on AP records seizure


Lawmakers pounded Attorney General Eric Holder with questions.

Accused Cleveland kidnapper plans to plead not guilty


The man charged with holding three women captive and raping them will plead not guilty.

Once a beacon, Obama under fire over civil liberties


Barack Obama has faced accusation after accusation of impinging on civil liberties.

FBI opens criminal probe of IRS


The FBI has opened a criminal probe over the IRS's targeting of conservative political groups.

Attorney General Holder recused himself from AP subpoena


The Attorney General said that he recused himself from the decision to secretly seize telephone records of the Associated Press.

Lower DUI limit to 0.05% blood-alcohol level, NTSB says


The top transportation safety agency voted to recommend a lower blood alcohol limit for drivers.

Russia says CIA agent caught trying to recruit spy


Russia said it had caught an American red-handed as he tried to recruit a Russian intelligence officer.