Obama to expand background checks for guns, increase funding for mental health

WASHINGTON (KTRK) -- President Obama will highlight his actions to address the growing issue of gun control when he speaks to the nation Tuesday.

The president is expected to take actions and expand background checks, propose a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care, track illegal online firearms and to provide more safety into gun safety technology.

"Gun violence has taken a heartbreaking toll on too many communities across the country," Obama administration said. "Over the past decade in America, more than 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence-and millions more have been the victim of assaults, robberies, and other crimes involving a gun."

The White House says many of those crimes were committed by people who never should have been able to purchase a gun.

The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help with background checks as part of the expanded process.