Monday, February 4, 2013

It may face an uphill battle in Congress, but a spokesman says President Barack Obama remains committed to the assault weapons ban. And Jay Carney says it's too early to write off prospects for any parts of the president's gun control package.

President Obama is in Minnesota today, looking for support from the public and from the law enforcement community for his calls to ban assault weapons and institute universal background checks for gun buyers. His visit to the Minneapolis Police Department's Special Operations Center marks the first time Obama has campaigned on his controversial proposals outside of Washington.

The White House picked Minneapolis as the backdrop for the president's remarks in part because of recent steps the city has taken to tackle gun violence, including a push for stricter background checks.