Obama unlike his rival and seeks an agreement to reduce gun ownership

Tags: Barack Obama, Estados Unidos, presidente

After the slaughter at a theater in Aurora, U.S. President Barack Obama called for a consensus to reduce the violence caused by firearms.

Thus, once again differs from its rival, Mitt Romney, who spoke out against a change in the law.

Obama addressed the controversial issue in a ceremony held last night (morning Argentina) in Louisiana, New Orleans, which ended with a tour that began Sunday when he came to Aurora, near Denver, Colorado to meet with victims of the attack cinema.

To venture into the subject, the president said he is working with members of the two main parties in the country, as well as religious groups and civil society organizations, to reach a consensus to reduce violence.

Obama emphasized his support for the right to bear arms, but said many, including many gun owners, also support limits on models such as AK-47 automatic rifles.

“I think many weapons holders would agree that an assault rifle should be in the hands of soldiers, not criminals, who belongs to the battlefield of the war and not the streets of our cities,” as were his first comments on gun control since the attack.

“Most weapon will agree to do everything possible to prevent criminals from buying guns,” he added and said that “they should not have such easy access by persons suffering from psychological problems.

“These steps should not be controversial, but common sense,” he said.

This first reference to a gun control in the election campaign contrasted sharply with that expressed by Romney, who yesterday found that a new law “would not have prevented” the slaughter of Colorado.

“Sometimes we can hope that by simply changing the law we will reverse,” he said in an interview with NBC television. “Will not occur (…) I do not think that America needs a new gun law,” McCain said.

Obama’s response was blunt: “Violence affects the major cities and smaller places, kill Americans of all ages and backgrounds,” according to news agency DPA.

But Obama refused to make a concrete proposal that could irritate the weapon, especially to the powerful National Rifle Association, one of the lobbies in the country, as it could undermine his way to reelection in the elections on November 6.

On the contrary, expressed his respect to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the possession of firearms. “We recognize that traditions are passed from generation to generation, and hunting and shooting are part of a cherished national tradition,” he said, according to Europa Press.

The controversy went on the campaign trail after the slaughter perpetrated by James Holmes, 24, who killed 12 people with an assault rifle, a shotgun and two pistols Glock. According to authorities, were purchased legally.

Telam