Obama renews threat to push gun control measures - Fox 2 News Headlines

By Nicole Collins, FOX News

As President Obama prepares to announce his plan to tighten federal gun laws, he is signaling he may be gearing up to go around Congress to do it.

Facing tough opposition to new gun legislation, the President is reviewing a list of recommendations from the Vice President and looking at steps he could take through executive action alone.

Vice President Joe Biden told a group of House Democrats his gun violence task force has identified 19 executive orders the President could implement without the support of Congress, including more aggressive enforcement of current gun laws and stricter action against people who lie on gun sale background checks.

President Obama expanded on the possibilities during the final press conference of his first term.

"How we are gathering data, for example, on guns that fall into the hands of criminals, and how we track that more effectively -- there may be some steps that we can take administratively as opposed through legislation."

The President said he supports the most contentious changes being discussed following the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, including an assault weapons ban and a limit on high-capacity ammunition magazines which would require Congressional approval -- and will face tough opposition.

Gun rights supporters on Capitol Hill say they will take a close look at the recommendations, but won't lose sight of Constitutional rights.

"This is a very important constitutional right, and we are very focused on protecting the 2nd amendment, from that standpoint. so what we want to focus on are ways to make sure that people with serious mental difficulties are kept away from firearms," said Rep. Robert Goodlatte.

President Obama will formally announce his proposals later this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday.  He's expected to also push for stronger background checks on prospective gun buyers.