Obama exploring executive order on gun control: Biden

In wake of frequent shootout incidents that have resulted in several deaths in recent past, the US is looking into the possibility of issuing an executive order on gun control.

"The President is going to act. There is executive action that can be taken. We haven't decided what that is yet, but we're compiling it all with the help the Attorney General and the rest of the Cabinet members," Vice President Joe Biden said yesterday.

He, however, also called for legislative action to control the gun menace.

"I want to make it clear that we are not going to get caught up in the notion, unless we can do everything, we're going to do nothing. It's critically important we act," Biden said, adding that there are some points of action on which there is a consensus, and thus they should be worked upon.

On top of his meeting with gun safety and victims' rights groups, Biden emphasised on taking steps to prevent such kind of massacres of innocent people including children.

Last month, Obama had tasked him to come out with specific proposals on gun control measures and Biden is slated to submit his report later this month.

He is also scheduled to meet representative of the pro- gun lobby the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA) today.

"I want it clear to the American public that on behalf of the President, we're reaching out to all parties on whatever side of this debate you fall," he said.

Later at a news conference, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in wake of the tragic incident of firing in Newtown, the US President believes that country must examine every possible action that it could plausibly take to reduce this terrible scourge of gun violence.

"As you heard him say, it is in many ways our first responsibility to ensure that our children are safe. And what Newtown brought home to us is that we need to do a lot more to ensure that they are safe. He wants to hear through the effort that he assigned to the Vice President from stakeholders of all kinds, and that certainly includes gun owners and organisations that represent gun owners," Carney said.

Both President Obama and his deputy Biden want some constructive solutions to the problem and the Vice President is in the process of putting together a series of recommendations that the President will consider, said Carney.

"And once the President has decided on the path forward that he will promote, he will I’m sure make that known to you," he said.

Earlier, Biden held conference calls with governors of both parties and state and local elected leaders from across the US over the issue.