White House: Obama Is ‘Actively Supportive’ Of Assault Weapons Ban

Amidst growing public support for increased gun control since Friday’s tragedy, White House press secretary Jay Carney said today President Obama “is actively supportive” of legislation that would ban assault weapons.

Senator Dianne Feinstein has said she will reintroduce an assault weapons ban on the first day of the new Congress in January. Carney said in a press conference today Obama will not only back that law, but will also back other gun control efforts, such as a ban on high-capacity magazines. Carney continued,

“[The President] supports — and would support legislation that addresses the problem of the so-called gun show loophole, and there are other elements of gun law — gun legislation that he could support. People have talked about high- capacity ammunition clips, for example, and that is something, certainly, that he would be interested in looking at.”

Obama reportedly reached out to Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), a longtime NRA supporter who recentlybacked the implementation of tougher gun laws. Carney said the president was “heartened” by various members of Congress publicly speaking out in support of “common-sense gun control measures.”

h/t ABC News
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