President Barack Obama today announced his plan to create a task force led by Vice President Joe Biden that will look at ways to curb gun violnce.

The President said it won’t be easy to push ahead on controls but that’s not an excuse not to try.

He said he has asked Biden and the task force to put together a package of real reforms “right now.” The group is tasked with creating a set of concrete proposals by January.

Obama also said the country needs to make access to mental health care easier.

The announcement follows the shootings of 27 people that occured Dec. 14 at and near Sandy Hook Elementary School. The shooter used an assault rifle to commit the crimes and was able to access it via his mother, who was an avid gun user, according to sources.

The shooter killed himself following the attacks that morning.