permits and background checks, guns h he increased to more than 50% of the national average. criminals in missouri now have easier access to guns. and the evidence tells us that in states that require background checks, law-abiding americans don't find it any harder to purchase guns whatsoever. their guns have not been confiscated. their rights have not been infringed. and that's just the information we have access to. with more research, we could further improve gun safety. just as with more research, we enormously over the last 30 years. we do research when cars, food, medicine, even toys harm people sosohat we make them safer. and you know what? things. they work. [ applause ]

but think about this. when it comes to an inherently deadly weapon. a -- nobody argues that guns are potentially deadly. but weapons that kill tens of thousands of americans every year, congress actually voted to make it harder for public health experts to conduct research into gun violence. made it harder to collect data and facts. and develop strategies to reduce gun violence. even after san bernardino, they've refused to make it harder for terror suspects who can't get on a plane to buy semi-automatic weapons.

that can't be right. so the gun lobby may be holding congress hostage right now. but they cannot hold america hostage. we do not have to accept this carnage is the price for freedom. [ applause ] now i want to be clear, congress still needs to act. the folks in this room will not rest until congress does.

because once congress gets on board, with common sense gun safety measures, we can reduce gun violence a whole lot more. but we also can't wait. until we have a cononess that's in line with the majority of americans, there are actions within my legal authority that we can take to help reduce gun violence and save more lives. actions that protect our rights and our kids.. after sandy hook, joe and i worked together with our teams and we put forward a whole series of executive actions to try to tighten up the existing rules and systems that we had in place. but today, we want to take it a

so let me outline what we're going to be doing. number one, anybody in the business of selling fire arms must get a license and conduct background checks or be subject to criminal prosecutions. [ applause ] it doesn't matter whether you're doing it over the internet or at a gun show. it's not where you do it but what you do. we're also expanding background checks to cover violent criminals who try to buy some of the most dangerous fire arms by corporations and various cutouts. we're also taking steps to make the background check system more efficient.

and the fbi, deputy director tom brandon at atf, we're going to hire more folks process applications faster and bring an outdated barack ground check system into the 21st century. [ applause ] and these steps will actually lead to a smoother process for law-abiding gun coneowners. a stronger process for protecting the public from dangerous people. so that's number one. number two, we're going to do everything we can to ensure the smart and effective enforcement of gun safety laws that are already on the books. which means we're going to add 200 more atf agents, up vest gators. require firearm dealers to

on a more timely basis. we're working with advocates to protect victims of domestic abuse from gun violence. where too often -- [ applause ] where too often people are not getting the protection that they need. number three, we're going to do more to help those suffering from mental illness to get the help that they need. so -- [ applause ] high-profile mass shootings tend to shine a light on those few mentally unstable people that inflict harm on others. but the fact is, nearly 2 in 3 gun deaths are from suicides. so a lot of our work is to prevent people from hurting themselves. that's why we made the affordable care act, also known

that law made sure that treatment for mental health was covered the the same as treatment for any other illness. that's why we're going to invest $500 million to expand access to treatment across the country. [ applause ] it's also why we're going to ensure that federal mental health records are submitted to the background check system and remove barriers that keep states from reporting information. if we can destigmatize mental health issues and fill gaps in the background check system, question spare more families the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. and for those in congress who rush to blame mental illness for mass shootings as way of avoiding action on guns, here's your chance to support these

put your money withhere your mouth is. [ applause ] number four. we're going to boost gun safety technology. today many gun injuries and deaths are the result of legal guns that were stolen or misused or discharged accidentally. 2013 alone, more than 500 people lost their lives to gun accidents. that includes 30 children younger than 5 years old. the greatest, most technologically advanced nation on earth there is no reason for this. we need to develop new technologies to make guns safer. set it up so you can't unlock your phone unless row have the right fingerprint, why can't we do the same thing for our guns? [ applause ]

us find a missing tablet, which happens to me often, the older i get. [ laughter ] then we can do it for your ipad, there's no reason we can't do it with a stolen gun. if a child can't open a bottle of aspirin, we should make hur that they can't pull a trigger on a gun. all right? [ applause ] so -- so we're going to advance research. we're going to work with the prooifrt sector to update fire arms technology. and some gun retailers are already stepping up by refusing to finalize a purchase without a complete background check or by refraining from selling semi-automatic weapons or

i hope that me more reore retailers and manufacturers join them. they should care as much as anybody about ah something that kills almost as many americans as car accidents. i make this point because none of us can do this alone. i think mark made that point earlier. all of us should be able to work together to find a balance that declares the rest of our rights are also important. second amendment rights are important. but -- there are other rights that we care about as well. and we have to be able to balance them. because our right to worship freely and safely -- that right was denied to christians in charleston, south carolina. and that was denied jews in kansas city.

chapel hill and those in oak creek. they had rights, too. [ applause ] our right to peaceful assembly, that right was robbed from movie goers in aurora and lafayette. our inalien able right to life and lishty and the pursuit of happiness, those rights were stripped from kids in blacksburg and santa barbara and from high schoolers in column binkol colunbine. and from first graders in newtown. first graders.

never imagined that their loved one would be taken from our lives by a bullet from a gun. every time i think about those kids, it gets me mad. and by the way, it happens on the streets of chicago every day. [ applause ] so -- all of us need to demand a congress brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby's lies. all of us need to demand governors, legislators, businesses do their part to make

we need the wide majority of responsible gun owners who grieve with us every time this happens and feel like your views are not being properly represented to join with us to demand something better. [ applause ] and we need voters who want safer gun laws and who are disappointed in leaders who stand in their way to remember come election time. [ cheers and applause ] i mean, some of this is just simple math. yes, the gun lobby is loud and organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody anytime.

the rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. we have to be just as organized in defense of our kids. this is not that complicated. the reason congress blocks laws is because they want to win elections. and if you make it hard for them to win an election if they block those laws, they'll change course, i promise you. [ applause ] and yes, it will be hard. and it won't happen overnight. it won't happen during this congress.

presidency. but a lot of things don't happen overnight. a woman's right to vote didn't happen overnight. the liberation of african americans didn't happen overnight. lgbt rights. decades worth of work. so just because it's hard that's no excuse not to try. and if you have any doubt as to why you should feel that fierce urgency of now, think about what happened three weeks ago.

he played football, beloved by his classmates and teachers. his own mayor called him one of their city's success stories. the week before christmas, he headed to a friend's house to play video games. he wasn't in the wrong place at the wrong time. he hadn't made a bad decision. he was exactly where any other kid would be. your kid. my kids. and then gunmen started firing. and xavion who was in high school hadn't even gotten started in life dove on top of three girls to shield them from the bullets. and he was shot in the head. and the girls were spared. he gave his life to save theirs.

than anything we should ever expect from a 15-year-old. greater love hath no man than this. that a man lay down his life for his friends. we are not asked to do what xavion dobson did. we're not asked to have shoulders that big, heart that strong, reactions that quick. i'm not asking people to have that same level of courage or sacrifice or love. but if we love our kids and care about their prospects and if we love this country and care about its future, then, we can find the courage to vote. we can find the courage to get mobilized and organized. we can find the courage to cut through all the noise.

would do. that's what we're doing today. and tomorrow we should do more. and we should do more the day after that. and if we do, we'll leave behind a nation that's stronger than the one we inherited and worthy of the sacrifice of a young man like xavion. thank you very >> he says he does not want to debate the last mass shooting but wants to prevent the next. the president called for taking common sense steps for gun owners to protect our children. he stressed he does believe in the second amendment and congress needs to act. we will have much more coming up

>> now to the bitter cold temperatures that have moved. >> 28 right now. it is leading into 121220. we started off the day in the teens, below 20 degrees across much of the region. right now in asheville, it is barely but it is above freezing at 34 degrees. 20's in hendersonville. 26 in waynesville. looking at the rest of the afternoon, we are not going to warm up too much. a lot of us staying in the 30's, even through late afternoon, when the sun goes down, the temperature will continue to drop back down, 35 degrees by dinner time and then tonight, once again, a low temperature expected in the teens.

coming up, i'll talk about when we'll get warm. >> temperatures creeping above freezing. emergency shelters are preparing to house people as temperatures drop again. lauren joins us live from western carolina. area shelters are operating under code purple. >> and code puple has been the state since last friday. they expect to remain in that state through much of the week. that is when temperatures reach 32 degrees or below. they go into that mode to try to house all those who do not have shelter. here, the president of western carolina's rescue ministry says that really takes a toll on their supplies, blankets are a constant need for shelters and rescue mission. they anticipate to continue to distribute those throughout the winter. the rescue mission provides blankets for those who may not stay overnight but need help staying warm. the need for supplies is

these services. >> we'll p in code purple probably more days over the next few months. we are going to feed more people, we'll clothe more people. people. >> for western carolina rescue ministries, items like laundry deter jekt, towels, wash cloths, the hygienehygiene. you can drop them off or at one of the four rescue thrift stores. we'll post the location of those for you at wlos.com. the rescue mission works with the salvation army and abccm to try to provide shelter for all those in need of servicesservices. expect it to be busy this afternoon t. supplies are

>> we will be right back with i'm caridee. i've had moderate to severe plaque psoriasis most of my life. but that hasn't stopped me from modeling.

it helps keep my skin clearer. with only 4 doses a year after 2 starter doses... ...stelara helps me be in season. stelara may lower your ability to fight infections and increase your risk of infections. some serious infections require hospitalization. before starting stelara your doctor should test for tuberculosis. stelara may increase your risk of cancer. always tell your doctor if you have any sign of infection, have had cancer, or if you develop any new skin growths. do not take stelara if you are allergic to stelara or any of its ingredients. alert your doctor of new or worsening problems including headaches, seizures, confusion and vision problems. these may be signs of a rare, potentially fatal brain condition. serious allergic reactions can occur. tell your doctor if you or anyone in your house needs or has recently received a vaccine. in a medical study, most stelara patients saw at least 75% clearer skin and the majority were rated as cleared or minimal at 12 weeks. stelara helps keep my skin clearer.

>> the chill continues into this afternoon. south asheville 34 degrees at our news 13 studios. the news 13 skycam network. i tweeted this picture out earlier because it is beautiful pu it is cold. this is mount mitchell. way above 6,000 feet. the light snow that fell yesterday, most of it is gone. it was short lived for a lot of snow lovers, maybe not enough. today. it is all clear skies and sunshine we picketed up a trace of snow yesterday.

cold. unseasonably cold, down to 21 degrees. it was colder in some locations. 24 hour temperature change were three degrees warmer than we were yesterday. when we had light snow falling. 7 degrees cooler. temperatures in asheville barely above freezing but we are. 34 degrees, upper 30's for morganton to forest city. same thing in our western zones. 12 degrees in highland earlier this morning. 36 into greenville. 38 in anderson and 37 in greenwood. the good news is the wind has lightened up. it has picked up slightly into greenville and anderson. it does feel below freezing, even down into the upstate this afternoon. take a look at the big picture, a big difference from yesterday. no snow to show you in the second half of the country. upper midwest is dry at the moment. southeast is dry as well. high pressure is continuing to build into the region.

at 2:00, showing nice clear skies. sunshine continuing. once the sun sets, because skies are so clear, chilly to start us off tomorrow morning. the low temperature tonight, below 20 degrees for much of western north carolina. we'll see clouds develop but staying dry for another day before we start to see our rain chances increase. that won't come until thursday. back up to 40% mainly after sunset thursday and the first part of our friday is expectedexpected. high temperature at 39 degrees. cold and breezy at times. clear skies, down to 17. make sure you have the layers ready to go especially if you work late at night. 44 in greenville and 23 degrees tonight. here's the seven-day forecast, a bit milder, back up to the 40's. overfight lows will be back to

still below freezing. chance late day, look at the re rebound in temperatures. 50's into the upstate. rain returns for the second half

we'll be right back >> welcome back.

an increase number of people as