Newtown Massacre Reignites Federal Gun-Policy Debate

An ornament for Noah Pozner hangs on a tree at one of the makeshift memorials for the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Monday in Newtown, Conn. Pozner, who turned 6 last month, was among the 20 children killed when a gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Friday and opened fire.

—Mary Altaffer/AP

By Alyson Klein

The shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last week have reopened the debate in Washington over gun policy as lawmakers ponder how the federal government can help head off similar, future tragedies, despite a polarized political climate and a tight rein on spending.

Earlier today, President Barack Obama had discussions with White House staff members, Vice President Joe Biden, and some members of the presidential cabinet to begin looking at ways the country can respond to the massacre in Newtown. Among those attending were U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. The White House did not release any information about specific next steps.

So far, President Obama has not directly called for changes to gun laws. However, in addressing a memorial service for the Sandy Hook victims Dec. 16, he said that the country needs to do more...