Washington: President Barack Obama is emphasizing the need for more background checks for gun buyers in his State of the Union address, saying that overwhelming majorities of Americans favor the proposal as a way to keep firearms from criminals.
Obama said Tuesday night that senators from both parties are working on legislation to prevent people from legally buying guns and then giving them to criminals.
He said police chiefs want lawmakers to ban "weapons of war" and magazines carrying large amounts of ammunition so law enforcement officers won't be outgunned.
The president proposed all those ideas after the December killings of 20 first-graders in Connecticut. But expanded background checks is the only one he described as having vast support - a description that matches public polling and reflects congressional sentiment too.
Obama said Tuesday night that senators from both parties are working on legislation to prevent people from legally buying guns and then giving them to criminals.
He said police chiefs want lawmakers to ban "weapons of war" and magazines carrying large amounts of ammunition so law enforcement officers won't be outgunned.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
This US City Has Been Declared America's Least Desirable, Survey Finds India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Highlights: India Suffer Disappointing 2-0 Series Loss To Sri Lanka India vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming 3rd ODI Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch Match Live Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests 2 Killed In West Bank Strike, Israel Says It Targeted "Terrorist Cell'' 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Russia, Several Aftershocks Recorded Prohibitory Orders In Kolkata Amid Protests Over Doctor's Rape-Murder Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.