(CNN) -- President Barack Obama said he would use "whatever weight this office holds" to get new measures enacted that will reduce gun violence in America.
"We can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible law-breaking few from inflicting harm on a massive scale," President Barack Obama said in introducing tougher gun control proposals.
The president called on Congress to reinstate the ban on military style assault rifles and limit ammunition magazines to 10 rounds for all weapons.
He also said background checks on all gun sales are needed, whether in stores or at auctions and conventions, as part of efforts to prevent gun violence.
President Obama said he would nominate B. Todd Jones, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as its permanent chief. The agency has lacked a permanent leader for six years.