Obama to propose assault weapons ban, universal background checks

President Barack Obama will today unveil a package of gun control proposals. According to various reports, the proposals will include a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The president also wants universal background checks for all gun buyers, not just those who purchase weapons through licensed dealers. Obama has signaled his plan would include elements that did not require congressional approval, Reuters reports. The president could take action to ban certain gun imports and bolster oversight of gun dealers. The announcement sets up a confrontation with the National Rifle Association, which is launching an advertising campaign against gun control and deploying its lobbyists in force on Capitol Hill. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will present the measures at a White House event attended by children from around the country who wrote letters to the president about gun violence and school safety, reports say.