Biden Leads Efforts to Resolve Problem Weapons

                            

WASHINGTON, KOMPAS.com - U.S. President Barack Obama to fulfill his promise to strengthen efforts to tackle violence with firearms. Obama commissioned Vice President Joe Biden, who has long advocated gun control to lead that effort, on Wednesday (19/12/2012).

The move was taken in the middle of rush pressure to prevent mass shootings following a shooting incident 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, last weekend.

Staff The White House said Obama would not explain the measures taken, but it outlines the process that will be undertaken government.

In his first term, Obama several times for help Biden to take a role in policy initiatives that matters. This, for instance, attempt to find a compromise with the Republican camp in the U.S. Congress in 2011.

Biden's mission is to coordinate the process among government agencies to formulate policies that need after the tragedy of Newtown. The effort was taken just a few days after the incident that lead to the nationwide protests urge end to violence using firearms.

Connecticut massacre was the fourth mass shooting in the U.S. in the last year. In a speech responding to the incident last Friday, which repeats at the official ceremony in memory of the victims, Obama promised to use every effort to keep children in the country.

However, control over the firearm is a low priority for most major U.S. politicians. This is because the possession of firearms is very popular in the U.S. as well as strong industry lobby groups and users of firearms, the NRA.

Right to carry a firearm specified in the constitution is seen as the majority of U.S. citizens that can not be changed. In fact, after a mass shooting, politicians are still cautious about taking specific steps to restrict access to assault rifles.

However, tragedy Newtown cause attitudinal change on some politicians who previously opposed restrictions on firearms. One of them Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

Many members of Congress supporting gun ownership also called on the government to focus on mental health issues and the impact of violent entertainment. Obama prefers a holistic approach. The aide said the laws are more stringent gun control is not the only answer.

On Tuesday, the two boys shooting victims, James and Jessica Rekos Mattioli, who are both 6 years old, was buried. On Wednesday, six more victims are buried, including the head of Sandy Hook Elementary, Dawn Hochsprung, and Victoria Soto, one of the teachers who was killed while protecting his students.

Police continue the investigation in Sandy Hook to uncover the motive for the shooting it. Sandy Hook Elementary building used as the scene that students were still closed. Learning facilities transferred to the nearest school. As for the other schools in Newtown students start school again. (Reuters / AFP / AP / DI)