Obama 'actively supportive' of assault weapons ban: White House

WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama is "actively supportive" of efforts on Capitol Hill to reinstate an assault weapons ban.

Obama has long backed the ban but has failed to push for it during his first term. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein plans to introduce legislation to reinstate the ban early next year.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says Obama would also support legislation to close the gun show "loophole," which allows people to buy guns from private dealers without background checks.

The president has pledged to address gun violence in the coming weeks following Friday's deadly shooting at a Connecticut school.

Obama spoke Tuesday with Sen. Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat and avid hunter who is now supportive of a national discussion on preventing gun violence.

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  White House press secretary Jay Carney briefs reporters at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. (AP / Charles Dharapak)

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  U.S. President Barack Obama returns to the White House in Washington after attending an interfaith vigil for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Sunday, Dec. 16. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)