In Denver, Obama tries to rally support for gun buyer background checks

By Jeff Mason

DENVER (Reuters) - Stricter gun laws passed by Colorado's state government show it is possible to require background checks for all gun buyers without infringing on gun ownership rights, President Barack Obama will argue in a speech in the state on Wednesday.

Obama is trying to shore up flagging support in Congress for gun-control legislation, speaking on the topic at events in Colorado on Wednesday and next week in Connecticut, two states that have worked on tougher gun laws in the wake of shocking mass shootings.

Obama proposed a series of new measures, including universal background checks and new penalties for gun trafficking, after 20 children and six adults were killed in a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

The Senate has delayed debate on the proposals because lawmakers have not been able to reach agreement on expanding background checks, a centerpiece of the package which is opposed by the National Rifle Association, the powerful U.S. gun lobby.

"I think that Colorado has shown that practical progress is possible by enacting tougher background checks that won't infringe on the rights of responsible gun owners, but will help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people," Obama said in excerpts from his prepared remarks.

The excerpts were released by the White House ahead of the speech in Denver, slated to begin at 5 p.m. EDT (2100 GMT).

Last month, Colorado's state government mandated universal background checks for all gun buyers. The new law came after the state experienced two mass shootings, a July 2012 shooting at a movie theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora, and the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School.

In his remarks, Obama emphasized that the state is also a home to hunters and sportsmen who value gun ownership rights.

"I'm here because I believe there's no conflict between reconciling these realities," said Obama, noting that he has received "stacks of letters" from gun owners who also want gun violence curbed.

(Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton and Thomas Ferraro; Editng by Todd Eastham)

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