Calling on Congress Wednesday to enact specific gun control laws, President Barack Obama cited widespread support for such changes, including a ban on assault weapons, a move to close the "loophole" that allows buyers at gun shows to bypass background checks, and a potential limitation on high-capacity ammunition clips.

After acknowledging the nation's tradition of gun ownership, Obama told reporters at the press conference, "I am also betting that the majority, the vast majority of responsible, law-abiding gun owners would be some of the first to say that we should be able to keep an irresponsible few from buying a weapon of war."