NOPD Superintendent Ronald Serpas has endorsed the President's initiatives to reduce gun violence, including a ban on military-style assault rifles.

"Everybody in the city of New Orleans who has ever seen a murder scene where there are countless yellow cones that represent where a casing from a firearm is, that is a military-style assault weapon that was used to kill someone," Serpas said.

"These types of weapons are specifically designed to kill mass numbers of people.  I don't know of any police chief in America who could object to that proposal."

Serpas says he supports the president's proposals because they represent "a common sense approach" to reducing gun violence.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu termed the president's initiatives a "step in the right direction" but he suggested the president should seek increased funding for local police agencies and mental health services.

Democrat Congressman Cedric Richmond issued a statement urging his colleagues to approve all legislation requested by the president including the ban on assault rifles.

"I commend the President and Vice President for taking action to address this appalling national issue that has plagued our schools and communities.  Regardless of our position on gun ownership, we all have a moral obligation to reduce the broader epedemic of gun violence in this country," Richmond said.

Republican Governor Bobby Jindal termed Obama's use of executive orders an abuse of power and said the president was trying to "undermine the Second Amendment."