WASHINGTON - The White House said President Barack Obama is "actively supportive" of efforts to reinstate an assault weapons ban.
Obama has been a long time proponent of the ban, but did not push for it in his first term. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said she plans to introduce legislation to reinstate the ban early next year.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama also supports legislation to close the gun show "loophole," which allows people to buy guns from private dealers without background checks.
Mr. Obama says he will 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.
