Obama unveils executive actions, legislation aimed at gun violence
WASHINGTON (AP) - Braced for a fight, President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades, pressing a reluctant Congress to pass universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.
A month after that horrific massacre, Obama also used his presidential powers to enact 23 measures that don't require the backing of lawmakers. The president's executive actions include ordering federal agencies to make more data available for background checks, appointing a director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and directing the Centers for Disease Control to research gun violence.
But the president, speaking at White House ceremony, focused his attention on the divided Congress, saying only lawmakers could enact the most effective measures for preventing more mass shootings.
"To make a real and lasting difference, Congress must act," Obama said. "And Congress must act soon."
The president vowed to use "whatever weight this office holds" to press lawmakers into action on his $500 million plan. He is also calling for improvements in school safety, including putting 1,000 police officers in schools and bolstering mental health care by training more health professionals to deal with young people who may be at risk.
Even supportive lawmakers say the president's gun control proposals - most of which are opposed by the powerful National Rifle Association - face long odds on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker John Boehner's office was non-committal to the president's package of proposed legislation, but signaled no urgency to act. "House committees of jurisdiction will review these recommendations," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. "And if the Senate passes a bill, we will also take a look at that."
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said ahead of Obama's presentation that he didn't know whether an assault weapons ban could pass the Senate, but said there are some measures that can, such as improved background checks.
"There are some who say nothing will pass. I disagree with that," Leahy, D-Vt., told students at Georgetown University Law Center. "What I'm interested in is what we can get."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Obama's package "thoughtful recommendations" and said the Senate would consider legislation addressing gun violence early this year.
"The tragedy at Sandy Hook was just the latest sad reminder that we are not doing enough to protect our citizens - especially our children - from gun violence and a culture of violence, and all options should be on the table moving forward," he said.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus dismissed Obama's measures as "an executive power grab."
"He paid lip service to our fundamental constitutional rights," Priebus said of the president, "but took actions that disregard the Second Amendment and the legislative process."
Acknowledging the tough fight ahead, Obama said there will be pundits, politicians and special interest groups that will seek to "gin up fear" that the White House wants to take away the right to own a gun.
"Behind the scenes, they'll do everything they can to block any commonsense reform and make sure nothing changes whatsoever," he said. "The only way we will be able to change is if their audience, their constituents, their membership says this time must be different, that this time we must do something to protect our communities and our kids."
The president was flanked by children who wrote him letters about gun violence in the weeks following the Newtown shooting. Families of those killed in the massacre, as well as survivors of the shooting, were also in the audience, along with law enforcement officers and congressional lawmakers.
"This is our first task as a society, keeping our children safe," Obama said. "This is how we will be judged."
Seeking to expand the impetus for addressing gun violence beyond the Newtown shooting, the president said more than 900 Americans have been killed by guns in the month since the elementary school massacre.
"Every day we wait, the number will keep growing," he said.
The White House has signaled that Obama could launch a campaign to boost public support for his proposals. Nearly six in 10 Americans want stricter gun laws in the aftermath of the Newtown shooting, with majorities favoring a nationwide ban on military-style, rapid-fire weapons and limits on gun violence depicted in video games, movies and TV shows, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.
A lopsided 84 percent of adults would like to see the establishment of a federal standard for background checks for people buying guns at gun shows, the poll showed.
The president based his proposals on recommendations from an administration-wide task force led by Vice President Joe Biden. His plan marks the most comprehensive effort to address gun violence since Congress passed the 1994 ban on high-grade, military-style assault weapons. The ban expired in 2004, and Obama wants lawmakers to renew and expand it.
Other measures Obama wants Congress to take up include limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring background checks for all gun buyers in an attempt to close the so-called "gun-show loophole" that allows people to buy guns at trade shows and over the Internet without submitting to background checks.
Obama also intends to seek confirmation for B. Todd Jones, who has served as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives since 2011.
The president's plan does little to address violent images in video games, movies and entertainment, beyond asking the CDC to study their impact on gun crimes. Some pro-gun lawmakers who are open to addressing stricter arms legislation have insisted they would do so only in tandem with recommendations for addressing violence in entertainment.
The president's long list of executive orders also include:
- Ordering tougher penalties for people who lie on background checks and requiring federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.
- Ending limits that make it more difficult for the government to research gun violence, such as gathering data on guns that fall into criminal hands.
- Requiring federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.
- Giving schools flexibility to use federal grant money to improve school safety, such as by hiring school resource officers.
- Giving communities grants to institute programs to keep guns away from people who shouldn't have them.
A month after that horrific massacre, Obama also used his presidential powers to enact 23 measures that don't require the backing of lawmakers. The president's executive actions include ordering federal agencies to make more data available for background checks, appointing a director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and directing the Centers for Disease Control to research gun violence.
But the president, speaking at White House ceremony, focused his attention on the divided Congress, saying only lawmakers could enact the most effective measures for preventing more mass shootings.
"To make a real and lasting difference, Congress must act," Obama said. "And Congress must act soon."
The president vowed to use "whatever weight this office holds" to press lawmakers into action on his $500 million plan. He is also calling for improvements in school safety, including putting 1,000 police officers in schools and bolstering mental health care by training more health professionals to deal with young people who may be at risk.
Even supportive lawmakers say the president's gun control proposals - most of which are opposed by the powerful National Rifle Association - face long odds on Capitol Hill.
House Speaker John Boehner's office was non-committal to the president's package of proposed legislation, but signaled no urgency to act. "House committees of jurisdiction will review these recommendations," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said. "And if the Senate passes a bill, we will also take a look at that."
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said ahead of Obama's presentation that he didn't know whether an assault weapons ban could pass the Senate, but said there are some measures that can, such as improved background checks.
"There are some who say nothing will pass. I disagree with that," Leahy, D-Vt., told students at Georgetown University Law Center. "What I'm interested in is what we can get."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Obama's package "thoughtful recommendations" and said the Senate would consider legislation addressing gun violence early this year.
"The tragedy at Sandy Hook was just the latest sad reminder that we are not doing enough to protect our citizens - especially our children - from gun violence and a culture of violence, and all options should be on the table moving forward," he said.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus dismissed Obama's measures as "an executive power grab."
"He paid lip service to our fundamental constitutional rights," Priebus said of the president, "but took actions that disregard the Second Amendment and the legislative process."
Acknowledging the tough fight ahead, Obama said there will be pundits, politicians and special interest groups that will seek to "gin up fear" that the White House wants to take away the right to own a gun.
"Behind the scenes, they'll do everything they can to block any commonsense reform and make sure nothing changes whatsoever," he said. "The only way we will be able to change is if their audience, their constituents, their membership says this time must be different, that this time we must do something to protect our communities and our kids."
The president was flanked by children who wrote him letters about gun violence in the weeks following the Newtown shooting. Families of those killed in the massacre, as well as survivors of the shooting, were also in the audience, along with law enforcement officers and congressional lawmakers.
"This is our first task as a society, keeping our children safe," Obama said. "This is how we will be judged."
Seeking to expand the impetus for addressing gun violence beyond the Newtown shooting, the president said more than 900 Americans have been killed by guns in the month since the elementary school massacre.
"Every day we wait, the number will keep growing," he said.
The White House has signaled that Obama could launch a campaign to boost public support for his proposals. Nearly six in 10 Americans want stricter gun laws in the aftermath of the Newtown shooting, with majorities favoring a nationwide ban on military-style, rapid-fire weapons and limits on gun violence depicted in video games, movies and TV shows, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.
A lopsided 84 percent of adults would like to see the establishment of a federal standard for background checks for people buying guns at gun shows, the poll showed.
The president based his proposals on recommendations from an administration-wide task force led by Vice President Joe Biden. His plan marks the most comprehensive effort to address gun violence since Congress passed the 1994 ban on high-grade, military-style assault weapons. The ban expired in 2004, and Obama wants lawmakers to renew and expand it.
Other measures Obama wants Congress to take up include limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring background checks for all gun buyers in an attempt to close the so-called "gun-show loophole" that allows people to buy guns at trade shows and over the Internet without submitting to background checks.
Obama also intends to seek confirmation for B. Todd Jones, who has served as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives since 2011.
The president's plan does little to address violent images in video games, movies and entertainment, beyond asking the CDC to study their impact on gun crimes. Some pro-gun lawmakers who are open to addressing stricter arms legislation have insisted they would do so only in tandem with recommendations for addressing violence in entertainment.
The president's long list of executive orders also include:
- Ordering tougher penalties for people who lie on background checks and requiring federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.
- Ending limits that make it more difficult for the government to research gun violence, such as gathering data on guns that fall into criminal hands.
- Requiring federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.
- Giving schools flexibility to use federal grant money to improve school safety, such as by hiring school resource officers.
- Giving communities grants to institute programs to keep guns away from people who shouldn't have them.
Obama's Actions has change nothing - except gun store inventory.... Understand? - so whats with all this fuss, if you guys are loaded with guns and ammo...
.. and ya all shoulda been trained and prepared prior to Obama anyway... why wait for calamity... why wait til you're told... why wait til it rains before you have rain-gear..... All this senseless screeching from the Right..!!
With all this talk about banning this and banning that the one thing they can not do is keep the criminal from getting guns. A prime example is Mexico. It has very strict gun control laws and who has the guns??? The drug dealers, slavers, and any other criminal that wants one. OmUma and all the rest of the anti-gun mob are trying to do just that. Take away our legally owned guns owned by responsible people and let the criminals have a field day. Criminals don't give a damn about laws you stupid fools.
people kill people guns r just in their hands while doing it and so are knives...whatever happends happends i guess.. just remember guns dont pull their own triggers!
A gun is one thing, the reason to use a gun is a completely different subject. Â I think that is the issue. Â You can say it all has to do with the gun but really are we not confronting the obvious? Â Violent video game in which children are allowed to play and grow up playing. Â Violent movies in which children are allowed to watch. Â These images to some are extremely dangerous and the concept of an unrealistic world in which they can commit acts of violence is going to merge with the real world some time. Â Another very interesting issue is that most of the people who have done these shootings have been on some sort of medication for depression or mental illness. Â The use of these drugs at a young age has been said to contribute to violent or suicidal tendencies. Â
whatever!!! its how U raise ur kids!!!! not the games and movie people r sooo caught on on blaming others things and not themselvs!!! keri555
 @Jennifer Janssen Imagine that.. someone taking personnel responsibility for their actions and spending time with their kids! Very rare today unfortunately....
I want an AR-15 for several reasons, one is for target and competition shooting. But the most important one for me is the same reason the police and military use them for. During natural and man made disasters, you need adequate fire power to defend yourself against roving bands of G-bangers, looters and thugs that ALWAYS come out during times of crisis. Katrina is a prime example of this. During riots in the cities, some shop keepers fend off looters with AR-15 style weapons. Sure you could use a pistol, but a military style rifle is FAR more effective.
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While I "could" use 6 10 round magazines, it's far more efficient to use two 30 round magazines. Seems most of the people out here calling for bans on "assault" weapons either don't own fire arms or have firearms but don't take their duty of providing their own self protection seriously and expect police officers to do it for them. Or, they are metrosexual men who obey what ever orders their wives or girlfriends order them to do.Â
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Remember folks, coming in March the UN's Small Arms Trade Treaty is going to rear it's ugly head. And in the text of this treaty it calls for the complete abolition of ALL privately held fire arms.
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 @fubar One of the biggest issues is lack of knowledge by those in "power." I've even heard some of the talking heads call a magazine a "thingy that holds bullets." Humm, holds bullets. That would be the casing...Most of them have no knowledge of what they are speaking about. I thought lawyers are supposed to know the laws.....Oh wait....
Chicago has some of the toughest gun laws in the Country, yet in 2012 466 school age children were shot and killed. How's that gun control doing for them?Â
It's funny that when the police used .38 revolvers and were outguned by the criminals they started using  high-capacity semi-auto pistols , AR15 and M16 full-auto weapons. Now they want to take away our right to be just as well armed as the criminals, go figure.
By now, most people have got their AR (if they wanted one) - 5m guns sold in 2 months sounds pretty convincing - so I guess we can calm down. I am disappointed in Obama, because if he had left the AR & magazine ban out of his proposal, he might have actually accomplished something.Â
 @Komo Dragon Absolutely agree - stronger punishment for criminals using guns and trafficking, educating the public about locking guns up, even hiring "resource officers".  All fair plans.
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I'm still scratching my head about banning "curio or relic" weapons. Â How many of these are actually used in a crime? Â What special interest group was he pandering to? Â
 @lexl1019  @Komo Dragon They can pry my blunderbuss from my cold, dead hands.
 @Komo Dragon I think that he's just pandering to his base.  It's doubtful that an assault weapons ban will pass congress.
Nothing but feel-good rhetoric here. It's all BS.
And it's all starting... Let's knock out the right to bear arms... because it's "Guns" that Kill people, Not PEOPLE killing people... Then freedom of speech... who needs that? Then While we're at it, may as well get rid of right to a speedy trial, right to vote... and make sure women are no longer able to learn, read, or write... OH and everyone must convert to Muslim... He really is the AntiChrist.
 @TishVoice1221 please be sarcastic.
 @Jomann  @TishVoice1221 it worked until the last sentence
 @TishVoice1221 How did you get 5 Likes?
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 @Alki_Ninja you guys need to keep the gun debate separate from other subjects, otherwise you loose credibility.Â
 @Komo Dragon  @Alki_NinjaÂ
You are correct Komo Dragon....it is easy to get carried away.
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 @Alki_Ninja More accurately, he's a fascist. He wants private ownership with tight regulation and control. That way, he can profit privately from his connections and ability to pick winners and losers, but with no personal downside risk. Formal state ownership limits private profits, and rigs the game so much it's less fun to play.
 @Alki_NinjaÂ
No, no, no.......Haven't you been listening. All of this "change" he is forcing on us is because of George Bush.
 @Ventura66  @Alki_Ninja Dang you are right I forgot about that. You know I stubbed my toe this morning. I'd better blame Bush just like the libs.
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 @CIAassassin Actually, the dirty little secret is that "gun violence" is way down.
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I know, I know, never stand between a liberal exploiting little kids to push his anti-Constitution agenda and some facts. They never mix.
WhatsonTapps , shoot , i was in the process of deleting the comment for a revised one. damm you!
 @CIAassassin lol
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Well I have no worries at this point.
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This country cannot keep out drugs or illegal immigrants from coming across our borders(heck we can't even keep drugs, rape and murder out of our prisons and cannot control street gangs with guns) and I am confident that the more and more we make gun illegal the more they will find their way here or be manufactured and sold right here in this country on the black market.Â
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After all wasn't that the primary reason voters made marijuana legal here? Keeping it illegal made it a thriving business?
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Sleep well tonight all you liberal anti-gun types out there, I personally think youâre going to find yourselves in the same boat as the Japanese after Pearl, "we have awaken a sleeping giant."
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If your all so into your idolistic reality shows and Hollywood fantasies then remember the words of Jack Nickelson as Coronal Nathan Jessop, "All you did was weaken a country today."
Crime rates going up..........
http://wallingford.komonews.com/news/crime/814630-violent-crimes-rise-seattle-everett-bellevue-tacoma
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Sounds like a great time to make it just a little more difficult for the good people to protect themselves from the bad.
I have no faith in the criminal justice system to stop any violence of any kind happening.
The cops show up AFTER the bad things have started or been completed.
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There's a reason it's the 2nd Amendment. It's come 2nd to the 1st Amendment. So when your 2nd Amendment rights trample on my 1st Amendment rights, my 1st Amendment rights take precedence! Simple as that!
Obviously you're not serious.
That is not the reason it is the 2nd
 @schramalot Probably not. But there seem to be a lot of 2nd Amendment zealots who are abusing those who are using the 1st Amendment to speak their minds on the issues...including the calls for a journalist to be deported because he is pushing a ban, AND the despicable attacks of the families of Sandy Hook, charging that the entire shooting was "staged".
It's people like those who hurt the image of every responsible gun owner.
 @PhunkyMunky "But a doctor shouldn't have the ability to tell me I don't get to be armed."
So, you don't agree that the mentally ill should be bared from owning guns?
 @SeattleJoe  @PhunkyMunky "If someone is attacking you to try to kill you then you are basically in a one on one war."
ONE difference is that a soldier actively goes out into the battlefield looking for the enemy. As a citizen, you can't - it's against the law. And you don't walk around in full battle array, do you?
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"The whole internet girlfriend thing, thats pretty lame don't ya think?"
Well, it IS more believable than "The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!"...THAT was lame even back in the 50's.
Invasion? That's really retro, no nation is going to "invade" us.
@OrcasThunder@PhunkyMunky "Well, for starters we are not talking about a combat situation in a war. The needs of a soldier are not the same of those of an ordinary citizen."
If someone is attacking you to try to kill you then you are basically in a one on one war. They are trying to kill you and you are trying to survive. Pretty much the same as a soldier. In this circumstance your needs are the same.
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The whole internet girlfriend thing, thats pretty lame don't ya think? Come on you are above this.
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 @PhunkyMunky "I ask this however, have you been in a life and death self defense situation?"
Well, for starters we are not talking about a combat situation in a war. The needs of a soldier are not the same of those of an ordinary citizen.
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"is that if we are ever actually invaded"
And next you bring up your dying internet girlfriend who inspires you to win football games...?
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 @OrcasThunder I ask this however, have you been in a life and death self defense situation? If not, then how would you know how many rounds it takes to stop a threat? I can tell you for a fact that I have literally seen an entire 30 round magazine emptied into an enemy before he dropped. The soldier I am speaking of was very freaked out after that too.  Not every round was a hit (adrenaline and many other dynamics involved, not the least of which was attempting to stay alive), but 18 holes in the corpse was surely enough, don't ya think?
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I'm not trying to be insulting in any way, it's just that I don't think most people understand that life and death self defense is seldom what is seen on TV. The other argument FOR higher cap magazines, from my view point, is that if we are ever actually invaded (don't say it can't it happened in WWII in Alaska, and of course more recently is 9/11 which was unthinkable). I don't honestly think anybody can say how much ammunition is needed in a firearm. Assault rifles aren't REALLY assault rifles, just semi auto rifles on a military rifle platform. Heck, that being the case, you could call a Ruger 10/22 an assault rifle if you put a higher cap magazine in it. Or how about an M1903A3? They used those to assault positions in WWII, M1 Garands as well. Muskets, lever action rifles..... Anything really is open to Government Interpretation.Â
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I know a lot of Liberal folks would make argument that I'm taking it too far, but honestly I am not. Our Nanny State is. Why don't they open this sort of thing up to The People? Why don't WE get the choice? I'm a 36 year old Combat Veteran, I think I ought to know what's best for me and my family, Government has no business in my house. I feel it's the same for everyone living in the States. Well, with in reason anyway. Somethings can't be helped, such as when you go and shoot up an elementary school.Â
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I agree to the call for background checks for every buyer, regardless if it's a private sale or in a store. But a doctor shouldn't have the ability to tell me I don't get to be armed. A doctor's job is health. Not guns. All of this is just more ways to put Americans under the microscope of Government.Â
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 @OrcasThunder It's good sometimes to hear from a responsible, articulate adult who has some common sense. Thank you for posting.
 @schramalot  @OrcasThunder Agreed - That's a problem with all sides of this issue. I frankly give no credibility to the NRA - they simply have sold their original mission (I was a member in the 1960's) to the gun industry, fanning the hysteria about the government "seizing privately owned guns" which generates massive sales of firearms and ammo. But I also do not support the wacky anti-gun extremists either - they are no better in their use of fear and hype.
What I DO support is a requirement for a background check for EVERY gun buyer. I also see no real need for the extreme mags that go beyond the need of "self defense", and have been a major part of many of the mass shootings in the past few years...but I won't cry if that part fails to pass. The AR-15 issue is mostly hype - on both sides.
What I hope for is a rational, responsible, discussion of what is a reasonable policy on guns, that tightens up who can buy them, makes illegal purchase, sale or possession a significant crime, and use of guns in a crime adding a major penalty to any punishment...without being subject to plea bargains or other ways to avoid punishment.
@OrcasThunder ..I hear you, and nod...Part of my frustration is when the media (under the guise of journalism) does not report news or facts but loudly champions a cause (sans facts to support).
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Well, When they go through with their feel good fuzzy laws and there is another mass shooting what will be their excuse? Maybe they should just enforce the 20 k plus laws already on the books for gun control. Crimanals don't G A S about laws. Thats why they are criminals.
I don't see anything in his executive orders list about the penalty for someone who might provide guns to drug dealers in foreign countries.
That's because the DEA does it and gets away with it.
Well, that would be banishment to the Supreme Court.
I love it... gun nuts going ballistic... ha ha ha !
 @Torqputty Quiet down and climb into the rail car....
 @JeepRex why? Its so funny to see loons in reactionary mode !
Yes, and passive sheep being led to slaughter. Who's right and who's wrong? History will tell.
 @SargeMcC seriously you sir need to start taking you crazy meds...Â
Well that makes no sense.... What "Crazy" crap did he just say? Or do you just like to troll..... Probably it right there. Move along.Â
And why would you say that? The 1911 is a standard handgun. Single shots and bolt actions are the least of anyones worries, unless they are muzzleloaders, what our nation was set free with. The 870 is a shotgun, you hunt birds with it, unless you are using it in the home for self protection. Crazy meds?? Why be insulting?
 @SargeMcC  I hope this is just the tip of the iceberg, because this is going to be tough to enforce and do little to change anything. I'm for the assault weapon ban, it should put right up there with hand grenades and dynamite. But the real issue here is the nuts that go off the way they do and why. If we can dig down that rabbit hole, we might have a chance to make a real difference! Once the assault rifles are banned, possession should be a felony. And if used during a crime, death penalty. And come on, don't feel so bad, you still got your rifles, handguns and shotguns. It's not like you'll be defenseless!
@aintno1special Until yesterday Obama had only signed two laws regarding guns. One was to make it legal to take them into federal park land and the other was to allow them to be transported in luggage on an Amtrak train. I really don't call that anti-gun. If you know of other laws he has signed, I'd like to hear about it. I would like to think that all our leaders would not be motivated by personal beliefs but realistically they are not. Take a look at congress, if you want to see some people motivated by personal beliefs.
 @JeepRex  @PhunkyMunky Larry the Cable Guy says that posting the Ten Commandments about not lying, stealing or committing adultery in a building full of Judges, Lawyers and politicians creates a hostile work environment and can't be tolerated.
I@justmyopinion Ah yes, say something against Obama and I'm a rabid, vitriolic child just following the Republican talking points. :-(. I dont remember saying I'm a Republican and I'm happy to share my opinions about W as well - this wasn't a news article about him and I didn't think I needed to give a background check before offering my opinions here. My mistake. Look, if you read my various posts I say that I don't have trust in most any of our politicians. That they "think" they are trying to "save" us is a very different thing than what actually transpires. And I find it ironic that you feel that Bush got a pass while Obama is (of course) the victim. MoveOn.org ring a bell? NotInOurName ring a bell? "He lied" ring a bell? Footdragging on multiple issues by the Dems and some Republicans too. It's like you only see things through your liberal point of view, which is fine. Just stop putting me in your convenient little box because you don't like what I say. Anyhow, feel free to give your allegiance to Obama as if he is only looking out for your best interests. I will continue to question the actions and motives of ALL politicians.
 @justmyopinion  @AuburnGuy "I don't see what he has done other than try to make the US a better place to live." That is your opinion, mine differs from yours, but that is what makes this country great. "The real damage being done to our country is being done by the hate coming from the likes of Briebart, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, et all."...again your opinion, the way I look at it, these few are in a vast minority when contrasted to the liberal media yet you make no statement to the vitriol they spew forth...why should we listen to anyone and consider it to be the "truth"?
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I think Obama has had some great idea, most notably healthcare reform, however, as with most political created ideas it was so saturated with special interest earmarks that is truly is a failure at creating affordable health care.
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In this situation Obama's history has been from a stand point of antigun. He may support the 2nd (he says he does and I have to take him at his word), but from his voting history he does not support gun rights. I would hope that the leader of my country would refrain from being motivated by personal beliefs and feelings. That goes for any and all leaders...you are assuming that we all just sat here on our hands while the "patriot-act" and other wide sweeping legislation was pass through. I wasn't.
@PhunkyMunky I would like to know where you think Pres. Obama "flaunts" his power. Please give me some real instances with links to them, because I think you're just full of hot air.
 @AuburnGuy And I believe you are paranoid.  Why is it that it's just under President Obama that people are so concerned about the government taking away our rights? We lost far more of our civil rights under Bush, than Pres. Obama ever thought of taking. Where was your outrage then? And just what has Pres. Obama done besides try to find a way to reduce mass shootings, that has convinced you the government is coming after us? As I read the comments that refer to Pres. Obama, I read hate and vitrol towards him and I can see that the Republican's are rabidly after a way to get him out of office, I don't see what he has done other than try to make the US a better place to live. He may not have been as successful as we would have liked, but he has tried. Congress won't even cooperate with him to pass a budget, so I don't think you need to worry about him taking away any of your civil rights. Try to remember that just because some paid talking head on FOX News says something is happening, that doesn't mean that it really is. The real damage being done to our country is being done by the hate coming from the likes of Briebart, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, et all. People listen to them and, if aren't mature enough to think on their own, they belive the hate. That's what has become of our country, and no one can protect us from hate.
 @PhunkyMunky This is why the 10 Commandments cannot be posted next to congress.....
 @justmyopinion Well, it's illegal to force someone to buy a product isn't it? It's also highly illegal to sell firearms to Drug Cartels in Mexico, but it's been done. Obama doesn't give a crap about Law and Order. He has his agenda and that's that. Already, and I don't blame Obama entirely, I blame American Citizens for voting for a party and not a man's character, but our Freedom in this country has been dragged through the mud since 9/11 and me personally, I'm sick of it.Â
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I don't trust a single politician. They're all liars, cheats and thieves. Every last one of them. It's not new, they've ALWAYS been this way. Which is one reason why we HAVE the 2nd Amendment. Government has it's own checks and balances in place, but The People are supposed to hold the ultimate Power in this Country, and we don't. Obama does. He flaunts it every chance he gets, Bush did too. This is not the America I grew up in, that's for sure. Never will be again either. Â
@justmyopinion Again, I think you underestimate the lengths at which politicians will go to achieve their goals. Executive orders, loopholes, blackmail, threats, quid pro quo, etc - a lot can be accomplished when they put their mind to it. The NRA may become a non-factor because Obama et al are setting it up so that anyone who opposes them will be the bad guy who doesn't care about our children and who perpetuate violence. And people will buy it. I'm sorry, I just think you are being naive if you think politicians will let themselves be held back from their goals the way you are portraying it. I'm not stressed out about it - I don't own a gun - but I absolutely am concerned about the way he is framing the entire process and pushing it through as quickly as possible. That you aren't is your business.
 @AuburnGuy You do realize that President Obama can't decree a ban on anything, right? It has to be voted on by congress, and you can rest assured the NRA is NOT going to let that happen. So, if you don't want to relax, then continue being all stressed out about it but get back to me in 6 months or so and we'll see where we are then.
@justmyopinion You keep telling people to relax. I think you give too much credit to Obama, his administration, and power politicians in general. Personally, I do not trust people in power who pledge to take care of us while at the same time taking from us. I don't buy into the notion that an assault weapons ban is going to make much of a difference in gun violence and believe that we will once again see gun restrictions tightened "to protect us". Frankly, it shouldn't be something that anyone "relaxes" about.
 @whatifafrog You can relax now deputy, if you listened to Pres. Obama's speech, his only ban would be on the manufacture of assault style weapons (whatever that is decided to be) and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, no one is coming to knock on your door to collect your weapons.
@SargeMcC Good choices. but I do have an AR, Im a retired soldier and a Deputy Sheriff. Nobody is taking mine. Here's the problem as I see it. This is all feelgood BS. A tactical reload can be done in about a second making the magazine issue a weak point.. For this to be effective, all magazine fed weapons have to be banned and removed from society, That Sir, will not happen. With my 870, I can keep em commin with tactical and combat reloads. I think a good start is with the checks if we can get the HIPPA (sp?) and mental health issues out of the way. I respect your opinion if only because you chose two of the best, most reliable weapons in history.
I don't own any 'assault weapons'. 1911 .45 is the closest I get in that field. I prefer single shots, bolt actions and muzzleloaders. Oh, and the 870. Hard to beat an 870.