Biden Heading to Virginia to Push Gun Control

Vice President Joe Biden takes the oath of office during the 57th Presidential Inauguration official swearing-in ceremony at the Naval Observatory on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Washington. The oath is administered by US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. (AP Photo/Saul Loeb, AFP)

Tools

By Rachel Begle

Story Created: Jan 25, 2013 at 7:05 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2013 at 7:05 AM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden is taking the White House's campaign for gun control on the road to Virginia.

Biden plans a roundtable discussion Friday in Richmond with experts who worked on gun safety following the 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech.

President Barack Obama wants Congress to require background checks for all gun sales and ban both military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. The president concedes passage will be difficult, but he also will travel to push the plan. His destinations have yet to be announced.

Virginia has an avidly pro-gun tradition, but lawmakers have been debating a bill to require that private sellers conduct criminal background checks on buyers at gun shows. The current law only requires dealers to conduct the checks.