By JULIE PACE
AP White House Correspondent
WASHINGTON (AP) - The fate of his gun proposals on Capitol Hill
uncertain, President Barack Obama is seeking to rally support from the
public and law enforcement community for his calls to ban assault
weapons and install universal background checks for gun buyers.
Obama will pitch his proposals to stem gun violence
Monday in Minnesota, a Democratic-leaning state where officials have
been studying ways to reduce gun-related attacks and accidents for
several years. His visit to the Minneapolis Police Department's Special
Operations Center will mark the first time Obama has campaigned on his
controversial proposals outside of Washington.
Ahead of the trip, the White House released a photo
of the president skeet shooting at Camp David, the presidential
retreat. Obama cited skeet shooting when asked in a recent interview
whether he had ever shot a gun.
The president unveiled his sweeping package of
proposals for curbing gun violence last month in response to the
horrific mass shooting at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school. He vowed
to use the full weight of his office to fight for the proposals, many of
which face tough opposition from congressional lawmakers and the
powerful National Rifle Association.
The reinstatement of the assault weapons ban, which
expired in 2004, is expected to be the steepest climb for Obama.
Universal background checks for gun purchasers may have an easier time
passing Congress, though the NRA also opposes that measure.
White House press secretary Jay Carney, speaking to
reporters aboard Air Force One, said Obama remained committed to the
assault weapons ban and that it was too early to write off prospects for
any parts of the package.
"We all recognize that all the components of this
are difficult and face challenges, some perhaps even more than others,"
Carney said. "But the president's support is firm and clear."
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has
said he hopes his panel can write gun legislation this month, though
it's unclear what it will contain.
The White House picked Minneapolis as the backdrop
for Obama's remarks in part because of recent steps the city has taken
to tackle gun violence, including a push for stricter background checks.
After a spike in violent crimes, the city launched a
program in 2008 aimed at providing more resources for at-risk youth and
helping rehabilitate young people who have already perpetrated crimes.
In January, Minneapolis also hosted a regional summit on gun violence
for elected officials from around the Midwest.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau and Hennepin
County Sheriff Richard Stanek are also among the officials Obama has
consulted as he pursues his anti-gun violence measures.
Stanek has also been leading a group of Minnesota sheriffs pushing for stronger background checks for people trying to buy guns.
Obama is expected to make more trips around the
country to build support for his anti-gun violence measures. The outside
group Organizing For Action, an offshoot of Obama's presidential
campaign, is also promoting the proposals.
White House officials say quick action on the
president's gun measures gives them the best prospects for passing
legislation in Congress. They fear that as time passes lawmakers will
have less incentive to back the measures as the shock of the Newtown
massacre fades.
In addition to the gun control measures, Obama's
anti-violence proposals also included increasing mental health
resources, boosting funding for school security, and lifting
restrictions that prevent the government from studying the causes of gun
violence.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press modified.
In this Aug. 4, 2012 file photo released by the White House, President Barack Obama shoots clay targets on the range at Camp David, Md.
