Obama Criticizes Supporters of Self-Defense Rights

Calls 'em fear-mongers even as he agitates for restrictions on firearms

President Obama vowed on Monday to act decisively to prevent a repeat of the Newtown school shooting, issuing a defiant message to the pro-gun lobby which he accused of "ginning up fear" among law-abiding gun owners that the federal government would confiscate their weapons.

Exactly one month after the tragedy in which 20 children and six staff were killed at Sandy Hook elementary school, Obama added his voice to a rising chorus of demands across the country for firm action to stem the spate of shooting sprees. The debate over how to protect the nation's children from further massacres has reached fever pitch on the eve of vice president Joe Biden's formal presentation to Obama of his recommendations for curbing gun violence.