Obama shoots, but what's the aim?

The White House has released a photo of President Barack Obama skeet shooting in an apparent bid to allay concerns by gun owners that he opposes firearms following a school massacre in December.

The White House has released a photo of President Barack Obama skeet shooting in an apparent bid to allay concerns by gun owners that he opposes firearms following a school massacre in December.

The photo was made public as Obama prepares to hit the road on Monday to push his plan to curb gun violence as he presses Congress to enact sweeping gun restrictions.

The effort to ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines has become a centerpiece of the President's second term agenda after a disturbed man gunned down 20 children and six adults on December 14 in the once quiet town of Newtown, Connecticut.

But his measures - both proposed legislation and executive orders - face stiff opposition from the firearms lobby, as well as from politicians, critics and gun enthusiasts who contend they will infringe upon the constitutional right to bear arms.

In this (file) photo released by the White House, President Barack Obama shoots clay targets on the range at Camp David, Maryland. (AP Photo)

In this file photo, George W Bush looks to the sky during a dove hunt in Hockley, Texas during his first Texas gubernatorial campaign. (AP Photo)