US Gun Control debate Simmers After Newtown Massacre

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. senator and lifelong member of the National Rifle Association became the most prominent gun rights advocate to speak out after last week's school shooting, saying Monday it was time for the debate to move beyond political rhetoric and begin an honest discussion about reasonable restrictions on guns.

But White House spokesman Jay Carney cautioned, "No single piece of legislation or action will fully address the problem."
It remained unclear how President Barack Obama would move forward on his comments to use the "power" of his office to tackle gun violence.

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Supporters of gun control gather on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, during a vigil for the victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

 

As many gun-rights advocates and politicians remained silent, the killing of 20 children as young as 6 years old led conservative Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin to speak out Monday.
"Never before have we seen our babies slaughtered. It's never happened in America that I can recall, seeing this carnage," Manchin told MSNBC. "Anybody that's a proud gun owner, a proud member of the NRA, they're also proud parents, they're proud grandparents. They understand this has changed where we go from here."

The self-described "proud outdoorsman and hunter" added, "I don't know anyone in the sporting or hunting arena that goes out with an assault rifle, I don't know anybody who needs 30 rounds in a clip to go hunting."

Manchin said he agrees with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has advocated banning the sale of assault weapons.
Democrats say the "meaningful action" Obama has spoken of in the wake of last week's shooting must include a ban on the military-style assault weapons and a look at how the country deals with individuals suffering from serious mental illness.


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