President Barack Obama wipes his eye as he speaks about the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn., Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Obama 'actively supportive' of assault weapons ban
Has pledged to address gun violence
Updated: Tuesday, 18 Dec 2012, 1:56 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 18 Dec 2012, 1:55 PM EST
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama is "actively supportive" of efforts on Capitol Hill to reinstate an assault weapons ban.
Obama has long backed the ban, but has failed to push for it throughout his first term. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., plans to introduce legislation to reinstate the ban early next year.
White House spokesman Jay Carney says Obama would also support legislation to close the gun show "loophole," which allows people to buy guns from private dealers without background checks.
The president has pledged to address gun violence in the coming weeks following Friday's deadly shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.
Obama spoke Tuesday with West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat and avid hunter who is now supportive of a national discussion on preventing gun violence.
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