In Colorado, Obama makes new push for gun control laws

               

Obama said the vast majority of Americans support stricter gun control laws including broader background checks to prevent criminals buying guns

President Barack Obama has travelled to Colorado to push Congress to revive the stalled national gun control debate.

Meanwhile, the US state of Connecticut on Wednesday is set to vote on its own sweeping new gun restrictions.Among the Connecticut measures up for a vote are a ban on new high-capacity magazines and mandatory background checks on all gun purchasers.Mr Obama praised Colorado for passing strict new gun measures, despite its culture of gun ownership.

The president said he came to Denver "because Colorado is proving a model for what's possible".
Last month, the western state imposed limits on the size of ammunition magazines and expanded background checks for gun buyers.
'Message' to Washington
 

                              

Gun shops in Connecticut reported increased sales as the legislation was announced on Monday

"This is, obviously, a state that has suffered the tragedy of two of the worst mass shootings in our history - 14 years ago this month in Columbine, and just last year in Aurora," Mr Obama said, referring to a movie theatre massacre that killed 12 and wounded dozens in July 2012.
The long-dormant US gun control debate reignited after a gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children, at a primary school in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

On Wednesday, Connecticut Senate President Donald Williams Jr called the state's gun control proposal, unveiled on Monday after weeks of negotiation, a "strong, comprehensive bill".
"That is a message that should resound in 49 other states and in Washington DC," he said. "And the message is: 'We can get it done here and they should get it done in their respective states and nationally in Congress.'"

 The bill, which has the support of both Democrats and Republicans, is expected to pass. Governor Dannel Malloy has pledged to sign it into law.
Connecticut's proposals include:

• an expansion of the state's assault weapons ban
• background checks for all prospective firearms purchasers, including in private transactions
• a ban on the sale or purchase of ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds
• a registry of weapons offenders
• a state eligibility certificate to purchase a rifle or shotgun that involves a psychiatric commitment check

Gun rights groups argue the legislation would not have prevented the Newtown shooting.
"They can register magazines and do all the rest of this stuff," said Robert Crook, executive director of the Connecticut Coalition of Sportsmen. "It isn't going to do anything."
In Washington, the US Congress is set to debate new gun control legislation this month, but gun groups have vowed to block it. The measures up for consideration include broadened background checks and stiffened penalties for firearms trafficking.