Obama Gun Laws Executive Action

[Dale00]

From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/15/obama-gun-laws-congress_n_836138.html

Efforts starting to focus on executive action:

WASHINGTON -- Faced with a Congress hostile to even slight restrictions of Second Amendment rights, the Obama administration is exploring potential changes to gun laws that can be secured strictly through executive action, administration officials say. ...

... Administration officials said talk of executive orders or agency action are among a host of options that President Barack Obama and his advisers are considering. “The purpose of these discussions is to be a productive exchange of good ideas from folks across the spectrum,” one official said. “We think that’s a good place to start.” ...

...For gun control advocates, however, executive action remains a more promising -- albeit more limited -- vehicle for reform than Congress. On Monday, The Huffington Post first reported that the Justice Department was convening meetings with groups from across the ideological spectrum in an effort to chart potential policy changes to Second Amendment law.

The discussions were meant to build a broad coalition around the elements of reform Obama had outlined a day earlier in an op-ed for the Arizona Daily Star, including stronger state-to-state coordination, expedited background checks and greater enforcement of the laws already on the books, especially with regard to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

But the coalition-building didn’t start off on a promising note. The National Rifle Association responded to the op-ed by arguing that Obama had missed the point “entirely” in ignoring lax law enforcement and shortcomings in the nation's mental health system.

The NRA’s response crystallized what administration officials and gun control advocates have long known to be a major potential roadblock in any reform effort: a policy approach that gives off even the hint of restricting access to firearms will be met with forceful opposition by the gun lobby and its allies.

Even when Democrats attempted to limit the ability of outside interest groups to make anonymous campaign donations, they ultimately exempted the NRA for fear that the group would derail the entire enterprise. And so, the conversation has drifted towards executive action.

“We need tougher laws, but there’s a lot we can and should be doing to enforce the laws we have,” said Mark Glaze, the executive director of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. “Sometimes it’s a question of manpower and money, but in many cases it’s just a question of political will. We think the president knows that and is getting there.”

The extent to which Obama can change gun law without the hand of Congress is not, gun control activists say, wholly insignificant. Though they say they'd prefer longer-lasting, broader legislative responses to shootings like that which occurred in Tucson, Ariz., in early January, there are notable gaps that can be filled with presidential action. ...

... As for other possible actions that can be taken without Congress, Mayors Against Illegal Guns has compiled a wishlist of sorts, suggesting that the national background-check system enforce the requirement that all federal agencies report individuals forbidden under federal law from purchasing guns; that the White House restructure regulations requiring that the FBI destroy firearm-purchase records after 90 days; that the FBI, DOJ and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives be more aggressive in pursuing federal prosecutions against those individuals who illegally attempted to buy firearms; and that the latter agency ramp up undercover investigations of sales at gun shows.

 

[abajaj11]

Elections have consequences. 2010 was a start, but 2012 will be even more important.

 

[Werewolf]

The executive branch's constitutional mandate is to execute and enforce law - NOT make them. Making law is the business of congress.

Executive orders controlling rules and how rules are enforced by executive department agencies in effect make law. For example the recent request by F Troop to have Mr. Obama issue an executive order to require FFL's to report those who buy multiple long guns.

The president is the president - the president is not a KING and they should stop acting like they are which they've pretty much done since Lincoln's time in varying degrees.

 

[HMFIC]

Faced with a Congress hostile to even slight restrictions of Second Amendment rights, the Obama administration is exploring potential changes to gun laws that can be secured strictly through executive action, administration officials say.

WTF! This is blatent disregard for the constitution. "changes to gun laws" through executive action?! Last time I checked the President couldn't make or change the law.

2012 cannot come fast enough... I just hope there is a viable opposition cantidate.

 

[grizzly97]

WTF! This is blatent disregard for the constitution. "changes to gun laws" through executive action?! Last time I checked the President couldn't make or change the law.

2012 cannot come fast enough... I just hope there is a viable opposition cantidate.

Right there with you HMFIC!!!

 

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Time for all states to pass laws similar to Montana's, informing the feds that guns made entirely within the state are not subject to the Interstate Commerce Clause.

 

[abajaj11]

WTF! This is blatent disregard for the constitution. "changes to gun laws" through executive action?! Last time I checked the President couldn't make or change the law.

2012 cannot come fast enough... I just hope there is a viable opposition cantidate.

I'd vote for Bugs Bunny over the present occupant.

 

[Biggsly]

WTF! This is blatent disregard for the constitution. "changes to gun laws" through executive action?! Last time I checked the President couldn't make or change the law.

2012 cannot come fast enough... I just hope there is a viable opposition cantidate.

Its just like Obamacare. To him, the constitution is a pain in the a$$ that is in the way of his socialist dream.