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President Obama Launches Gun-Violence Task Force

Five days after deadliest elementary school shooting in U.S. history, President Obama said his administration plans immediate action early next year on proposals to curb an “epidemic of gun violence”. At a morning news conference, Obama announced the formation of a task force to be headed by Vice President Joe Biden that will formulate a package of policy recommendations by January. “The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing”, Obama said. “The fact that we can’t prevent every act of violence doesn’t mean that we can’t steadily reduce the violence and prevent the very worst violence.” The president said he intends to push for implementation of the proposals “without delay”. “This is a team that has a very specific task to pull together real reforms right now”, he said.

While Obama did not offer specifics, he suggested the task force would examine an array of steps to curb gun violence and prevent mass shootings, including legislative measures, mental health resources and a “look more closely at a culture that all-too-often glorifies guns and violence”. “I will use all the powers of this office to help advance efforts aimed at preventing more tragedies like this”, Obama said.

Obama made similar pronouncements following at least four other mass shootings that marked his first term. But few policy changes were made. “This is not the first incident of horrific gun violence of your four years. Where have you been?”, asked ABC News’ Jake Tapper. “I’ve been president of the United States, dealing with the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, an auto industry on the verge of collapse, two wars. I don’t think I’ve been on vacation”, Obama responded.