Obama 'Determined' to Get Gun Bill

President gives emotional speech before Sandy Hook families
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 8, 2013 6:30 PM CDT
Obama 'Determined' to Get Gun Bill
President Barack Obama hugs Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, accompanied by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., left, after Obama arrived at Bradley Air Force Base, Conn., Monday, April 8, 2013.   (Susan Walsh)

With time running out on the chance to pass gun control legislation, President Barack Obama today warned Congress not to use delaying tactics against tighter regulations and told families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims that he's "determined as ever" to honor their children with tougher laws. "The day Newtown happened was the toughest day of my presidency," Obama said in an emotional speech from Connecticut's capital, an hour's drive from Newtown. "But I've got to tell you, if we don't respond to this, that'll be a tough day for me too."

Obama's gun control proposals have run into resistance on Capitol Hill, leaving their fate in doubt. Efforts by Senate Democrats to reach compromise with Republicans over expanding required federal background checks have yet to yield an agreement; some of the Sandy Hook families are making an attempt to push through the bill. Obama met with them privately before his speech this evening, then brought 12 family members back to Air Force One for the trip back to Washington. The relatives want to meet with senators who've yet to back the legislation to encourage their support in memory of their loved ones. Click for more. (More gun control stories.)

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