WASHINGTON — The White House said on Tuesday that the U.S. is not considering arming opposition groups in Syria, deflecting calls from some lawmakers to explore such a possibility as one way to quell the violence in Syria.

However, U.S. officials said no option would be completely ruled out as the Obama administration grapples for a way to end the bloodshed and facilitate a political transition.

“We are not considering that step right now,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said of the prospect of arming the rebels.

Carney said deliberations inside the administration are focused on how the U.S. could provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

At the State Department, spokesman Victoria Nuland said that while the U.S. never takes any option off the table, “we don't think more arms into Syria is the answer.”

Earlier Tuesday, some congressional lawmakers, including Arizona's Republican Sen. John McCain, called for the U.S. to consider arming the Syrian opposition