Pages

Friday, January 1, 2016

What More Can President Obama do to Stop Gun Violence in 2016?

I ask that as he is vowing to indeed, do more this year. If so, it surely will be via executive action as the GOP Congress has no interest in any sort of gun control.

"President Barack Obama will meet Monday with Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss executive actions he could take to make it harder for "a dangerous few" to get their hands on guns.

"Obama said on his weekly radio address that he gets so many letters from parents, teachers and children about the "epidemic of gun violence" that he can't "sit around and do nothing."

"The gun lobby is loud and well organized in its defense of effortlessly available guns for anyone," Obama said. "The rest of us are going to have to be just as passionate and well organized in our defense of our kids."

"Obama recently directed staff at the White House to look into potential executive actions, such as expanding background checks."

"Currently, federally licensed firearms dealers are required to seek background checks on potential firearm purchasers. But advocacy groups say some of the people who sell firearms at gun shows are not federally licensed, increasing the chance of sales to customers prohibited by law from purchasing guns."

"A source familiar with the administration's efforts said Obama is expected to take executive action next week that would set a "reasonable threshold" for when sellers have to seek a background check. That person didn't know whether it would be based on the number of guns sold or revenue generated through gun sales."

"The source, a member of a gun control advocacy group, was not authorized to discuss details before the announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity. White House officials won't confirm the timing."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/obama-gun-control_56869330e4b0b958f65bbb1b

I still think the NRA will come to regret it's recalcitrance. They have simply opposed everything-even the sale of guns that can only be fired by their owners. This shows that the NRA desires not just to maximize gun sales but guns fired.

As hysterical as the GOP is over 'Islamic terrorism' they don't think that someone on a terrorist watchlist should be barred from having guns. On guns alone they are extreme civil libertarians more than the ACLU would ever dream of being.

But playing it My way or the highway carries risks and I think eventually it will come back to roost. It's like the GOP took such a hardline during the Obama years that they even rejected offers from Obama for things they want like tax reform and entitlement reform.

Don't get me wrong-I'm glad as I never wanted those things. But from their standpoint it was a mistake. Their recalcitrance has actually pushed the Overton Window left. Obama ended up as Daniel Pfieffer documents 'learning to be liberal' rather than trying to be bipartisan and centrist.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/03/dan-pfeiffer-exit-interview.html

My way or the highway usually leaves you on the highway. 

No comments:

Post a Comment