Obama makes new gun control push

The US state of Connecticut is set to vote on sweeping new gun restrictions, as President Obama travels to Colorado to call for new national restrictions.

Among the Connecticut measures up for a vote are a ban on new high-capacity magazines and mandatory background checks on all gun purchasers.

Meanwhile, national gun legislation appears to have stalled in Congress.

Mr Obama is expected to praise Colorado for passing new firearms restrictions despite a strong gun culture.

Last month, the western state imposed limits on the size of ammunition magazines and expanded background checks for gun buyers.

'Message' to Washington

The long-dormant US gun control debate reignited after a gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children, at a primary school in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

On Wednesday, Connecticut Senate President Donald Williams Jr called the state's gun control proposal, unveiled on Monday after weeks of negotiation, a "strong, comprehensive bill".

"That is a message that should resound in 49 other states and in Washington DC," he said. "And the message is: 'We can get it done here and they should get it done in their respective states and nationally in Congress.'"

The bill, which has the support of both Democrats and Republicans, is expected to pass. Governor Dannel Malloy has pledged to sign it into law.

Connecticut's proposals include:

• an expansion of the state's assault weapons ban


• background checks for all prospective firearms purchasers, including in private transactions


• a ban on the sale or purchase of ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds


• a registry of weapons offenders


• a state eligibility certificate to purchase a rifle or shotgun that involves a psychiatric commitment check

Gun rights groups argue the legislation would not have prevented the Newtown shooting.

"They can register magazines and do all the rest of this stuff," said Robert Crook, executive director of the Connecticut Coalition of Sportsmen. "It isn't going to do anything."

In Washington, the US Congress is set to debate new gun control legislation this month, but gun groups have vowed to block it. The measures up for consideration include broadened background checks and stiffened penalties for firearms trafficking.