WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama is expected to unveil new gun control proposals in the coming days. The president is endorsing a ban on some weapons. But he's facing opposition from Republicans and doubt from members of his own party.
President Barack Obama says he's putting together his plan to reduce gun violence.
"Members of Congress, I think, are going to have to debate and examine their own conscience," he said.
The President's plan will be based on recommendations from Vice President Joe Biden's task force.
Likely proposals include mental health background checks, longer prison sentences for gun traffickers and more information on violent video games.
The President also wants a ban on assault rifles, but many gun rights advocates including Mike Emerson are opposed.
"The people who want to get them to do evil things are not going to be deterred by a ban," believes Emerson.
The President is facing opposition from the NRA and many lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Even top democrats do not believe an assault weapons ban can pass through Congress.
Some states are not waiting for the federal government.
New York legislators are close to pushing through a bill that would implement some of the toughest gun restrictions in the country.
The President says if Congress cannot pass federal legislation, he may go it alone and use an executive order.
"if there is a step we can take that can save even one child, from what happened in Newtown, we should take that step," the president said.
Parents of the children killed in Newtown, Connecticut talked to reporters for the first time on Monday.
They are forming an organization called Sandy Hook Promise aimed at preventing another tragedy.
"I do not want to be someone sharing my experience and consoling another parents next time. I do not want there to be a next time," says Nicole Hockley, mother of one of the children killed at Sandy Hook.
The group did not address gun control directly but says it is looking for common sense solutions to prevent gun violence.
The president's plan could include federal dollars for schools who want to hire armed guards.
(Susan McGinnis, CBS News)
President Barack Obama says he's putting together his plan to reduce gun violence.
"Members of Congress, I think, are going to have to debate and examine their own conscience," he said.
The President's plan will be based on recommendations from Vice President Joe Biden's task force.
Likely proposals include mental health background checks, longer prison sentences for gun traffickers and more information on violent video games.
The President also wants a ban on assault rifles, but many gun rights advocates including Mike Emerson are opposed.
"The people who want to get them to do evil things are not going to be deterred by a ban," believes Emerson.
The President is facing opposition from the NRA and many lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Even top democrats do not believe an assault weapons ban can pass through Congress.
Some states are not waiting for the federal government.
New York legislators are close to pushing through a bill that would implement some of the toughest gun restrictions in the country.
The President says if Congress cannot pass federal legislation, he may go it alone and use an executive order.
"if there is a step we can take that can save even one child, from what happened in Newtown, we should take that step," the president said.
Parents of the children killed in Newtown, Connecticut talked to reporters for the first time on Monday.
They are forming an organization called Sandy Hook Promise aimed at preventing another tragedy.
"I do not want to be someone sharing my experience and consoling another parents next time. I do not want there to be a next time," says Nicole Hockley, mother of one of the children killed at Sandy Hook.
The group did not address gun control directly but says it is looking for common sense solutions to prevent gun violence.
The president's plan could include federal dollars for schools who want to hire armed guards.
(Susan McGinnis, CBS News)
