Obama appeals for "common sense" gun law US President Barack Obama appealed for public support for his "common sense" proposed gun legislation opposed by gun advocates. The current bill, passed recently by the Senate judiciary committee, would close the "gun show loophole" that exempted buyers at trade shows from background checks, making checks mandatory for all firearms sales except those between immediate family members. Democrats" calls for bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines have already been struck down by Republicans. Surrounded by families affected by gun violence, Mr Obama expressed dismay that the bill might not pass through Congress, especially after a six-month period filled with high-profile gun violence. He said the reforms would not infringe on the rights of responsible gun owners and would aim to keep guns out of the hands of criminals or those with mental illness that would cause them to harm themselves or others. "What they will do is keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people who put others at risk," Mr Obama said. And this is our best chance in more than a decade to take common sense steps that will save lives. Referencing the shooting three months ago in Newtown, Connecticut that killed 20 children, he said the country cannot afford to delay action any longer. Before Mr Obama spoke on Thursday, documents from the Newtown investigation were released, including chilling details about the shooting. The alleged shooter, Adam Lanza, reportedly fired more than 150 rounds in less than five minutes before killing himself. Investigators also found newspaper clippings of other shootings, membership papers to the National Rifle Association and personal journals. Mr Lanza's mother legally acquired the guns, which included an assault rifle, that were used in the massacre. On Wednesday, the alleged gunman in the Aurora, Colorado, movie theatre shooting that killed 12 people was reported to be planning to plead guilty in a hearing next week. James Holmes, who opened fire on a midnight screening of the recent Batman film, was said to be considering the guilty plea in return for removing the death penalty from the table.