The President reacts as John Brennan briefs him on the Dec. 14 Newton, CT school shootings. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama today announced 23 executive orders and a series of policy recommendations aimed at preventing gun violence.

The orders and recommendations represent the most expansive presidential effort to alter gun-control policies in generations. In addition, Obama reiterated his support for an assault weapon ban.

The Huffington Post reports that the proposals are broken into four subsections: “law enforcement, the availability of dangerous firearms and ammunition, school safety and mental health.” 

Obama said his agenda is intended to curb mass shootings with semiautomatic weapons, as well as individual deaths stemming from handguns, according to The Washington Post. He is asking Congress to close loopholes that allow private sales of firearms without background checks.

A list of the 23 executive orders announced today was made available by the White House to Fox News. The orders include: several that are geared towards strengthening America’s system of background checks for potential gun owners, changes to law enforcement priorities in criminal cases involving guns, increased research into gun violence and school safety plans.