White House promises 'comprehensive measures' on gun control laws after Connecticut shooting

Washington, Dec. 18 (ANI): The White House has promised a comprehensive series of measures, including gun control legislation, to prevent a recurrence of mass shootings such as the 'horrific' attack in Connecticut that left 20 children and six teachers dead. Less than 24 hours after President Barack Obama signalled that gun control would be a second term priority during a powerful speech on Sunday evening at a vigil for the victims in Newtown, at least two Democratic senators strongly identified with gun rights shifted position in favour of reform. The White House spokesman, Jay Carney, at the daily briefing went further than Obama in elaborating on what kind of measures might be taken, the Guardian reports. According to the report, at the emotional vigil in Newtown, Obama appeared to abandon his reluctance to take on the gun lobby and delivered an impassioned speech in which he said change had to come. Addressing an audience of about 900 people, including about 15 families of victims, at Newtown high school he talked about the disaster at Sandy Hook elementary school, in which '20 beautiful children and six remarkable adults' had died, the report said. "In the coming weeks I'll use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens from law enforcement, mental health professionals to parents and educators in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this," he added. He, however, did not specify what change he had in mind, or even whether it would include new legislation on gun control. "It is a complex problem that will require a complex solution. No single piece of legislation, no single action will fully address the problem," but Carney, when asked what kind of measures the president had in mind, said. Carney pointed out that Obama had long been an advocate of 'common sense measures', the report added. (ANI)