MINNEAPOLIS (February 4, 2013)—In remarks Monday in Minnesota, President Barack Obama pressed for a ban on military-style firearms and for universal background checks for gun buyers, taking his case directly to the public as the proposals leave Congress divided.

Mr. Obama said the measures to limit access to some weapons or to require a check of criminal histories during weapons purchases are common sense measures that have support of the public.

"We don't have to agree on everything to agree it's time to do something,” he said.

Before his remarks Monday, Mr. Obama held a roundtable discussion at the Minneapolis Police Department Special Operations Center, speaking with law enforcement and community leaders.