Still, it was a breath of fresh air to see a calm and civilized discussion between proponents and opponents of Gun Control laws in America.
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It is… but not in the way he hoped. Kyle told Obama that gun ownership was at an all-time high while murder rates are at an historic low, and defended her right to own a gun.
Taya Kyle, widow of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle who was killed at a gun range and portrayed in the film “American Sniper”, said laws would not stop people with criminal intent. 20% of voters responded “not sure” to the question. Last year, Obama pledged to “politicize” the issue in an attempt to level the playing field for gun control supporters.
Devon Flynn, chairman of the College Republicans at George Mason, said the seemingly one-sided nature of the event is leaving many wondering if Obama’s legislation will be a true bipartisan effort. The doubters include 75 percent of gun owners.
The College Republican Federation Of Virginia is gathering demonstrators near the auditorium for a “peaceful protest to support our Constitutional rights”.
However, nearly 6 in 10 Americans said the new measures will not be effective to decrease the number of gun-related deaths.
On Twitter, the NRA issued a running series of rebuttals and accusations, countering Obama’s points, while asserting that “none of the president’s [recent executive actions] would have stopped any of the recent mass shootings”.
When asked by directly Thursday night if wants to take people’s guns away, Obama gave a circuitous, long-winded answer filled with emotional anecdotes.
“There’s nothing in this executive order that will make it harder for criminals to get guns”, Sypien said.
Mark Kelly, a well-known ally of the president of gun policy and the wife of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), noted during a CNN town hall on guns that many gun-rights activists believe expanded background checks could eventually lead to a gun registry and confiscation.
“There are a whole bunch of law-abiding citizens who have grown up hunting with their dads, going to the shooting range and are responsible gun owners”, Obama said.
He said fears that he was trying to take away guns from Americans are “imaginary fiction”. Only 40 percent said there is even a gun in their house.
History will not look kindly on the failure of Congress or President Barack Obama to enact reasonable gun safety measures, despite an unprecedented spate of massacres that have horrified the nation.
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“So what are we going to talk about – basketball?” The President’s new actions narrow the gun-show loophole but not entirely close it.
