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Gov. Christie Announces Plan To Curb Gun Violence

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is embracing most of the recommendations of a blue ribbon task force on gun violence and its causes, and is also coming up with some ideas of his own to take to the legislature.

The proposal calls for expanding government-funded mental health treatment, requiring parental sign-off before minors can buy or rent violent video games and mandating would-be gun owners show government-issued IDs.

The governor also recommended banning the sale of Barrett 50-caliber semi-automatic sniper rifles. But his plan doesn't address classroom security or propose limits on magazine capacity.

"We need to be thoughtful and we need to be informed and we need to focus on what steps will actually work," Christie said.

Christie announced his proposals Friday, a week after receiving a report from a task force he created after the mass school shootings in Connecticut.

The governor's proposals come two days after the U.S. Senate rejected expanded gun background checks. Members of the Democrat-controlled state Legislature have proposed their own gun laws.

Christie expressed hope that they can all work on a package that addresses not just gun violence, but what leads to it.

New Jersey's gun laws are among the strictest in the nation.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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