There has been progress on reducing gun violence, but it will take help from Congress to bring about significant improvements - that's the message from Vice President Joseph Biden.
He said that the White House has either completed or significantly advanced 21 of the 23 executive actions that President Barack Obama ordered in the aftermath of the December shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Biden is hoping to pressure Congress in spite of the Senate's April rejection of stricter gun control measures.
By a vote of 54-46, the bi-partisan bill crafted by Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania went down in defeat.
Their amendment would have expanded background check requirements for gun buyers to include people with criminal records or who are mentally ill.
President Barack Obama blasted those who voted against the bill, saying that they disregarded the will of the vast majority of Americans for fear of retribution from the National Rifle Association in the next round of elections.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com