Two years ago, in the wake of the assassination attempt on former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, President Obama dismayed gun-reform advocates when he made no mention of gun control in his State of the Union speech.
Those advocates have little to grumble about this time around.
Obama on Tuesday amplified his calls for Congress to take up new gun controls, arguing that the Newtown, Conn., shooting massacre has changed the debate and clarified the need for tougher laws to protect the nation's children.
"It has been two months since Newtown. I know this is not the first time this country has debated how to reduce gun violence. But this time is different," Obama said in the first State of the Union speech of his second term.
With dozens of victims of gun violence looking on in the House chamber, Obama asked Congress to stage votes on proposals to expand background checks on gun purchases, ban assault weapons and prohibit high-capacity ammunition magazines.
Read more on Obama's push for new legislation to help prevent gun violence.
