President Barack Obama said on Friday he would meet with U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Monday to discuss ways of reducing gun violence in the United States amid reports he intends to take executive action on the issue.
He has repeatedly urged Congress to tighten gun laws, with his calls growing louder following the 2012 massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, and again this fall after mass shootings in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and San Bernardino, California.
"A few months ago, I directed my team at the White House to look into any new actions I can take to help reduce gun violence," Obama said in the address.
Frustrated with little action from Congress, Obama has vowed to use "whatever power this office holds" to put in place gun control measures through executive action, which does not require congressional approval.