Obama tapping Biden to lead multi-agency gun violence policy review

Vice President Biden in March 2012 file photo / AP

WASHINGTON President Obama is launching an administration-wide effort to curb gun violence, underscoring the growing political consensus over tightening gun restrictions following the horrific massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.

Sources confirm to CBS News correspondent Major Garrett that Mr. Obama is tasking Vice President Joe Biden, a longtime gun control advocate, with spearheading the effort.

In remarks from the White House on Wednesday, Mr. Obama will outline a process for pursuing policy changes following the school shooting, though he is not expected to call for specific measures.

The president has vowed to use "whatever power this office holds" to safeguard the nation's children after Friday's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. Twenty children and six adults were killed at the school by a gunman carrying an arsenal of ammunition and a high-powered, military-style rifle.

• Mr. Obama coalesces support for gun control
• NRA promises "meaningful contributions" to avert another Newtown
• Pro-gun Sen. Joe Manchin calls for "action" on gun violence

The White House sees some urgency in formulating a policy response to the shooting, even as Mr. Obama and his top aides are consumed with averting the "fiscal cliff" before tax hikes and spending cuts take effect in January.

The incident has prompted several congressional gun rights supporters to consider new legislation to control firearms, and there is some fear that their willingness to engage could fade as the shock and sorrow over the Newtown shooting eases.

Many pro-gun lawmakers also have called for a greater focus on mental health issues and the impact of violent entertainment. Mr. Obama also prefers a holistic approach, with aides saying stricter gun laws alone are not the answer.

"It's a complex problem that requires more than one solution," White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday. "It calls for not only re-examining our gun laws and how well we enforce them, but also for engaging mental health professionals, law enforcement officials, educators, parents and communities to find those solutions."

Still, much of the immediate focus after the shooting is on gun control, an issue that has been dormant in Washington for years.

Mr. Obama expended little political capital on gun issues during his first term, despite several mass shootings, including a movie theater attack in Aurora, Colo., in the midst of this year's presidential campaign.

The White House has begun to signal that Mr. Obama may be more proactive on gun issues following the murders of the elementary school youngsters, ages 6 and 7.

Carney said Mr. Obama was "actively supportive" of legislation to reinstate a ban on assault-style weapons that expired in 2004. The president long has supported a ban, but exerted little effort to get it passed during his first term. Mr. Obama also would support closing a "gun show loophole" allowing people to buy arms from private dealers without background checks, and would be interested in legislation limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines, Carney said.

The policy process Mr. Obama was announcing Wednesday was expected to include input from the departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services. The heads of those agencies met with Mr. Obama at the White House Monday.

[logictoo]

If it looks like an assault weapon is that included in the assault weapon debate? Example military pattern style BB gun, pellet, rifle, .22 cal. rimfire. --This is a question is for liberals since republicans like myself don't know what your are talking about much of the time because you are so mis-informed as far as weaponry is concerned anyhow.

[Teamfrown]

you are part of the problem, pushing your hippy agenda without a hint of reality. The fact is, where there are concealed carry permits and less gun control, there is less gun violence. If just 1 person in the office had a CC permit this could possibly have been averted. I feel horrible for the children, I feel horrible for the parents, and I feel horrible for Law Abiding gun owners. Pukes like you live by some rediculous hypocritical vision that all humans will just get along. Where guns are no longer allowed, is murder eradicated, no, in fact its the opposite. I have 2 small children. I would love to hear that the janitor, the principle and the teachers have a firearm. That would mean they could protect the children. That is the responsability of adults. What happened is devastating. Schools have already taken measures to "lock down" entrances, but this guy walked in armed, what were they to to? Had one been able to return fire, not only would it have saved lives, but would send a message to those contemplating this type of act. The police will not likely be there when you need them most. A few seconds more to reload does not save lives. Lets get real. This issue is so heartbreaking that it should not even be politicised

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Scott Pelley stated the assault weapons ban expired just a few years ago. it was actually 2004 which is eight years ago under Bush and Cheney. Why not get that right? Bush and Cheney are culpable in the mass shooting.

[Teamfrown]

Just when we were running out of things to blame on Bush. You are an echochamber.

[mjvwsr]

Biden 2008: If Obama 'tries to fool with my Beretta, he's got a problem'

[oregonphil]

I can still remember the slaughter at Kent State. Was gun control brought up there? Na...Why? Because it was our government slaughtering people not some crazed criminal.

[Social_Adjudicator]

December 29, 1890: Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA!! The list goes on and on...

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

And you think a bunch of play soldiers playing militia can prevail against military & swat teams of professionally trained personnel?

[oregonphil]

THE SHOOTINGS IN OREGON AND CONN. WERE HORRIBLE AND I FEEL FOR THE FAMILIES. YET IAM STILL PUZZLED ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT WANTING STRICTER GUN CONTROL. IN BOTH CASES THESE TWO CRIMINALS STOLE THE GUNS. YES THEY STOLE THE GUNS. YES THEY BROKE THE EXISTING LAW WAY BEFORE THEY EVER COMMITTED MURDER. SO THAT BEING SAID. WE DO NOT NEED NEW LAWS TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS. THAT'S JUST PLANE ARSE STUPID.

[teddavey]

ONE THING HAS BEEN TRUE IN EVERY CASE THE COPS GET THERE 1-3HRS TOO LATE EVERY SINGLE TIME

[bobw101]

Cops are there to write the reports and draw the chalk lines.

[Socialistnation]

He would have never got in to the school if there had been a more secure entrance as opposed to a piece of glass next to the "lockdown" door. The school system had taken measures for school security, but really a piece of glass that the murderer just blew apart and walked in. That is security?

There should be an investigation into what moron specified this as secure?

[john92021]

should have one of those bullet proof enclosures like at the bank and some armed rent a cop bored out of his mind sitting out front lamenting the demise of Twinkies. So what if the nut job dressed up as a UPS driver, well, few bugs to work out.

[Social_Adjudicator]

Security Guards at Schools and Malls: A way to employ Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen returning from overseas. Gee Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden, I just handed it to you on a silver platter. Issue solved.

[bobw101]

Maybe schools should take a look at the "Guardian Plan" being used at The Harrold I.S.D. in North Texas, it has allowed teachers to carry guns in the classroom since 2008.

The Harrold ISD, which is west of Wichita Falls, is in a rural area where there is no way that law enforcement would be able to arrive in time to deal with an emergency.

Teachers have to have a concealed handgun license. The individual has to be approved by the school board to carry on campus. They must complete additional training and use frangible ammunition, which is ammunition which breaks apart when it hits a hard object.

Sounds reasonable to me.