Obama and gun control...

Obama Puts Gun-Control Issue on Back Burner

The assault-weapons ban, which lapsed five years ago, has many supporters in the White House, including chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, who lobbied for its passage when he worked for President Bill Clinton. But with an economic crisis still raging, the administration has decided now is not the right time to tangle with the powerful National Rifle Association.

"The president supports the 2nd Amendment, respects the tradition of gun ownership in this country, and he believes we can take common-sense steps to keep our streets safe," Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said in a statement. "The administration included $2 billion in funding in the Recovery and Reinvestment Act for communities to hire more police officers and to enhance their crime-fighting technology."

Thom Mannard, executive director of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, said he did not expect Obama to push gun legislation early on in his administration. But he said that advocates will be looking for leadership on the issue and "there probably will be a limit to that patience."

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