Obama will not campaign for opponents of new gun laws

US President Barack Obama vowed not to campaign or vote for any candidate, including Democrats, who opposes tighter gun laws, as he publicly challenged critics of his policies.

In a concerted effort to garner support for contentious unilateral measures regulating the sale and purchase of guns, a sometimes combative Obama took to television to make his case.

Around 30,000 people are killed in America every year by guns, mostly in suicides.

In an opinion article in the New York Times and in a primetime CNN debate that featured questions from gun owners, Obama argued for executive measures regulating the sale and purchase of weapons, controversially bypassing Congress.

"Even as I continue to take every action possible as president, I will also take every action I can as a citizen," he said in a message posted on the Times` website.

"I will not campaign for, vote for or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support commonsense gun reform," Obama said.

That relatively short list could include Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, who voted against gun reform in 2013.

On television Obama chastised critics who he said have "mischaracterized" his position and falsely believe he wants to repeal the right to bear arms and seize the estimated 350 million weapons in the United States.

"It is a conspiracy," Obama said. "I`m only going to be here for another year."

"Keep in mind I`ve been president for over seven years and gun sales don`t seem to have suffered during that time."
"I`ve been very good for gun manufacturers," he said.

In a bid to empathize with gun owners, Obama also said his skeet shoots from time to time at Camp David, a presidential retreat near Washington.

According to a CNN poll 67 percent support gun control measures put forward by President Barack Obam.

Obama had less empathy for America`s most prominent pro-gun lobby, the National Rifle Association.

Obama repeatedly trashed the organization - which helps fund the election campaigns of strident gun advocates - notably for not taking part in the debate near its own headquarters in Virginia.

"There is a reason why the NRA is not here," Obama said. "They are just down the street. And since this is the main reason they exist, you`d think they would be prepared to have a debate with the president."

NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam told the event host that "the National Rifle Association sees no reason to participate in a public relations spectacle orchestrated by the White House."