President Obama Calls for Universal Background Checks—Your Thoughts?

President Obama announced Wednesday he will ask Congress to pass legislation requiring universal background checks for anyone attempting to buy a gun, restore a ban on military-style assault weapons, and limit ammunition magazines to ten bullets. 

What do you think of the president's proposals? Tell us in the comments section.

Obama also said he will sign 23 executive orders to enhance background checks, give mental health professionals more options for reporting threats of violence, and providing additional funds to schools to hire resource officers.

Repeatedly mentioning mass shootings in Newtown, CT; Clackamas, OR; and Aurora, CO, Obama said significant enhancements in gun control will come only if people from all parts of the country—including current gun owners—support the changes.

"We have to examine ourselves and our hearts, and ask ourselves, what is important?" he said. "This will not happen unless the American people demand it.”

As a reminder that he has to do "my part," the president has hung a painting by 7-year-old Grace McDonnell, one of the 25 Newtown victims, in his private study, he said. 

More details on Obama's proposals can be found in the attached PDF or on a new White House website dedicated to the topic.