(AP) - President Barack Obama is mocking conspiracy theorists and tearing into the National Rifle Association for pushing "imaginary fiction," as he describes his plans to tighten gun control rules as modest first steps toward tackling gun violence.

In a televised town hall meeting Thursday, Obama fielded tough questions from high-profile gun control opponents and supporters alike.

He tried to reassure Americans there is a middle ground on a fiercely divisive issue.

But Obama didn't hold back when asked by CNN moderator Anderson Cooper about the notion that the federal government - and Obama in particular - wants to seize all firearms as a precursor to imposing martial law. He blamed that notion on the NRA and like-minded groups convincing their members that "somebody's going to come grab your guns."