Instead, Mr. Obama will merely clarify that existing laws require anyone making a living from selling guns to register as a licensed gun dealer and conduct background checks.
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Obama’s announcement was hailed by gun control advocates and Democratic lawmakers, who praised the president for refusing to cow to the National Rifle Association and similar groups.
Stymied by Congress’ inaction on gun control, the president asked his advisers in recent months to examine new ways he could use his executive authority to tighten gun rules unilaterally without needing congressional approval after multiple mass shootings generated outrage nationwide. But until it does, he has ordered White House and Department of Justice lawyers to “see what more we can do to strengthen our enforcement and prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands”.
The administration is also working to improve the quality of background checks by encouraging states and government agencies to share more information about criminal histories, domestic violence and mental illness that could disqualify a person from buying a gun.
“And the good news is, is that these are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch, but they’re also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support and believe”, Obama said.
Obama planned to announce the new measures at an event at the White House on Tuesday as he continued a weeklong push to promote the gun effort and pushing back on its critics.
“We have to be very clear that this is not going to solve every violent crime in this country, it’s not going to prevent every mass shooting, it’s not going to keep every gun out of the hands of a criminal”, he said. Still, he added, “It will potentially save lives and spare families the pain of these extraordinary losses”. One would require background checks for people trying to purchase risky firearms through a trust, corporation or other legal entity.
Obama said his hope for Congress to pass new laws regulating firearms is unlikely to happen anytime soon with a Republican-controlled legislature opposing laws that limit the Second Amendment. Currently, 91 percent of background checks are done through the federal system within the three days the law allows.
“That’s why I called him a petulant child yesterday”, the New Jersey governor said on Monday.
The administration unveiled on Monday a series of proposals created to shore up holes in the federal background check system for gun purchases, devote millions of additional dollars to mental health services, and kick-start so-called smart gun technology.
Democrat Hillary Clinton, who has already proposed an executive action to close the gun show loophole, cheered Obama’s plans. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, who attended a White House briefing on the president’s plans Monday afternoon.
Over the weekend, Marco Rubio said reversing Obama’s potential actions, which he described as part a “war on the Constitution”, would be his top priority upon entering the White House. “But this is going to be another illegal executive action which I’m sure will be rejected by the courts”.
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The administration is expected to reclassify some of those dealers using a mix of criteria, such as the number and frequency of guns sold, whether sellers profit off sales, whether they advertise, rent space or tables at gun shows and pay taxes.
