Sitting at a table with victims of gun violence, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the Obama administration is "determined to take action" following a mass shooting last month at a Connecticut elementary school.
"We're here to deal with a problem that requires immediate action, urgent action," Biden said.
Biden met with supporters of gun control, including victims, Wednesday as he works to devise a package of recommendations for Obama that would address gun violence. He said the administration is considering executive actions, which require no congressional approval, as well as legislation.
The recommendations will be announced this month, as soon as next week.
"We are not going to get caught up in the notion that unless we do everything we're going to do nothing," Biden said before reporters were ushered out of the room. "There is a pretty wide consensus on three or four or five things in the gun safety area that could and should be done."
Biden will meet with the National Rifle Association Thursday. He will also talk with executives with the entertainment and video game industries this week.
Obama has already called for Congress to reinstitute an assault weapons ban, pass legislation to ban high-capacity magazines and close loopholes in background checks.
Biden, along with Attorney General Eric Holder, met with 12 activists from across the nation and five victims from Virginia Tech and Aurora and others.
"We're reaching out to all parties on whatever side of this debate you fall," Biden said. "But the president is going to act. There are executive orders, executive action that can be taken."
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