President Barack Obama will unveil a string of executive actions on Tuesday to force through gun control measures, sidestepping opposition in Congress that has stymied his previous efforts.
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A rule issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will clarify that a dealer shipping a gun is responsible for notifying law enforcement once it determines it was lost or stolen in transit. As a result, they haven’t needed a federal license to sell and they haven’t been required to conduct background checks on their customers.
Under current law, only federally licensed gun dealers must conduct background checks on buyers, but many who sell guns at flea markets, on websites or in other informal settings don’t register as dealers.
“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”, Obama said during a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch and other advisers.
“We know that we can’t stop every act of violence”.
President Barack Obama speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, during a meeting with law enforcement officials to discuss executive actions the president can take to curb gu… While Republicans and Democrats are deeply divided on the issue, both parties see Obama’s actions as an opportunity to generate enthusiasm among primary voters. He will meet with Attorney General Loretta Lynch Monday afternoon to talk about ways to increase background checks for people who buy guns. A White House statement said an average of 1,333 guns recovered from crime scenes in each of the past five years were traced back to dealers who never received them.
President Obama is expected to sign an executive order expanding federal background checks on gun purchases.
Jarrett argued that Obama is using his presidential powers to strengthen firearms regulations after Republicans repeatedly blocked his past efforts. He has made clear that in his remaining time as president, keeping guns out of the “wrong hands” is a top priority.
WASHINGTON (AP) – A visibly emotional President Barack Obama, at one point wiping tears from his cheek, unveiled his plan Tuesday to tighten control and enforcement of firearms in the USA, using his presidential powers in the absence of legal changes he implored Congress to pass.
A day earlier, Hillary Clinton told Radio Iowa she applauded the President’s new push, but warned any executive action was likely to fall short the comprehensive reform favored by most in her party.
The impact of Obama’s plan on gun violence remains a major question, and one not easily answered. The initiative also promised to be prominent in Obama’s final State of the Union address next week.
The President blasted the gun lobby, particularly the National Rifle Association, and insisted that his actions are “not a plot to take away everybody’s guns”.
“It’s just impossible to predict”, Lynch said.
“I will work with my colleagues to respond appropriately to ensure the Constitution is respected”, said Sen Bob Corker, R-Tenn.
“It’s important to note the hobbyist and collector exception is still there”, she said. The Department of Health and Human Services is also finalizing a new rule that would remove legal barriers which prevent people from sharing information about individuals who have mental health issues that would prohibit them from buying weapons.
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Numerous administration’s proposals rely heavily on their ability to secure additional funding from Congress next fiscal year’s spending bill, which they hope to put toward investments in mental health care, and for hiring more ATF agents to enforce the law.
