Obama Gun Control: Executive Actions Will Tighten Federal Laws
President Barack Obama has announced new gun control measures — which will be defined in a series of executive actions. During a live address on Tuesday, Obama acknowledged the Second Amendment right to bear arms. However, he expects the plan to reduce gun violence in the United States without infringing on that right.
As reported by NPR, Obama’s gun control measures will affect background checks, licensing, and gun safety research.
The president’s plan will require all gun sellers to obtain a license and perform background checks.
Obama’s emotional speech on gun control https://t.co/wqqsJiDCRd pic.twitter.com/R9Ukk8xhri
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) January 5, 2016
Individuals and businesses with a Federal Firearms License are required, by federal law, to perform background checks on anyone who wishes to purchase a firearm. They are further required to record all firearm purchases.
However, the so-called “gun show loophole” allows individuals to sell guns online and at gun shows without a Federal Firearms License. Essentially, almost anyone can purchase firearms online or at a gun show without revealing their identity or submitting a background check.
They are further protected from government scrutiny, as private sellers are not obligated to keep records of their sales.
Although 32 states follow federal law, 18 states have adopted state laws to require background checks for some private firearm sales. Obama’s gun control measures will tighten the requirements at the federal level.
In addition to requiring all gun sellers to possess licenses, and to perform background checks, mental health restrictions will be added to the NICS background check system.
With tears in his eyes, Obama explains his new #guncontrol measures. https://t.co/dTpJElb3rS pic.twitter.com/n9C7jlKg6c
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) January 5, 2016
Many states already provide lists of current or former mental health patients who are prohibited from owning firearms. However, there are barriers, which include financial considerations, which have prevented some states from providing NCIS with those lists.
Obama’s gun control plan will include $500 million in funding to increase access to those lists and provide mental health treatment for those who are at risk for violent behavior.
The president’s executive actions include a provision to “add 200 new agents to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives” and 230 agents to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The additional agents will be tasked with improving and enforcing the existing and new gun control laws.
CNN reports the plan also includes funding to increase gun safety research — which will be conducted by the United States Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security.
In Tuesday’s address, President Barack Obama said he nations simply “can’t wait” for Congress to approve gun control measures.
“We know we can’t stop every act of violence, every act of evil in the world. But maybe we could try to stop one act of evil, one act of violence… Until we have the Congress that’s in line with the majority of Americans, there are actions within my legal authority that we can take to help reduce gun violence and save more lives.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan spoke out against Obama’s gun control measures, stating that “the president has never respected the right to safe and legal gun ownership that our nation has valued since its founding.”
Although he disagrees with Barack Obama’s plan, Ryan said it will likely be “challenged in the courts” or “overturned by a Republican president.”
Obama has received stark criticism for his support of gun control measures, as the Second Amendment provides United States citizens with the right to bear arms. However, the president said he is not trying to infringe on anyone’s rights. He is simply trying to “find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”
Via his Twitter account, President Barack Obama said his gun control measures “will keep guns out of the wrong hands, enforce our gun laws, and ensure those with serious mental illness get treatment.” However, his opponents argue that he is maliciously violating a constitutional right.
[Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images]
