Washington D.C., January 6: United States President Barack Obama made an emotional and passionate address on Tuesday as he called for a national “sense of urgency” to limit the incidences of gun violence in the country.
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“Well, gun violence is real”.
He also chided Congress for their inaction. That’s one thing, if you look at half the gun violence things, it’s mental illness – that’s where we need to be working.
Wiping at his face as he spoke in the East Room of the White House, Mr Obama outlined new moves that would improve background checks and tighten the enforcement of rules.
At the Point Blank gun shop and range in Mentor, owner David Holtz said the measures will have little impact on licensed gun dealers. He added when he had to get his dealer license it’s not an easy process. Under current laws, gun sellers can finalize a sale if the customer’s background check has not been completed within three days. Comment here and we may answer them on our upcoming show.
Indianapolis is coming off of its deadliest year ever, 144 homicides in 2015. “The president did his part”, he said.
“Those two people meet and exchange funds”, said R. Kent Morrison, a local firearms training instructor.
He also highlighted how easy it is for people to buy guns online without background checks and claimed that one in 30 people who buy firearms online have a criminal record. “It’s not necessarily going to stop anything”, said Kristina Pyle.
“I would rather go through somebody because I have no idea what their background is”.
The President said he believes in the second amendment, but that it must be balanced with the other rights of Americans as well.
Obama’s actions ensure that gun rights – one of the most bitterly divisive issues in America – will be at the forefront of the 2016 presidential campaign, which begins in earnest next month with the first primary contests.
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“Since the passing of our daughter, we have been in this fight ever since”, said Nathaniel Pendleton, whose daughter was shot and killed in a Chicago park in 2013. “In the most recent attacks, the guns were purchased legally and there were background checks, so I don’t see how expanding background checks is going to make a significant difference”.
