Mr Carney said the president had spoken on Tuesday to West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat and avid hunter who made comments the day before about preventing gun violence.

BBC: Newtown shootings: Obama 'backs assault weapons ban'

CNN's Joe Sutton, Dave Alsup, Mike Ahlers, Chuck Johnston, Esprit Smith, Greg Botelho and Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.

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CNN's Joe Sutton, Dave Alsup, Sandra Endo, Chuck Johnston, Esprit Smith, Greg Botelho and Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.

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