Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. told gun control advocates Wednesday that President Barack Obama will act on guns — and he said that could include executive actions.

“Every once in a while something raises the consciousness of the nation,” Biden said at the start of his meeting with gun control advocates, per a pool report, referring to the massacre of children in Newtown, Conn., that prompted the new effort to curb gun violence. Biden said the problem requires immediate attention.

“I want to make clear that we’re not going to get caught up in the notion that, unless we can do everything, were going to do nothing. … The president is going to act.”

Biden said the White House has determined that executive action can be taken on the issue, but he said it has not yet settled on what that action would be.

Obama has already called on Congress to reinstate the assault weapons ban, require background checks for all gun purchases and ban high-capacity clips.

Biden is set to meet with the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups Thursday.