President Barack Obama says he's reviewing a list of proposals from Vice-President Joe Biden on how to reduce gun violence and expects to present specifics later this week.

Obama says stronger background checks, a "meaningful" ban on assault weapons and limits on high-capacity ammunition magazines are all ideas he thinks make sense. He says he's not sure how many of those measures can pass Congress, but he can also use executive power.

Obama says in a news conference in the White House that he expects Congress to set aside politics and focus on common-sense steps that can make a difference.

Obama asked Biden to lead a task force on ways to reduce violence after the December school shooting in Connecticut that killed 27 people — mostly children.