Obama on Gun Control: What to Expect

Obama on Gun Control: What to Expect

On January 5, the Obama administration will announce a series of executive actions to combat gun violence in the U.S. Among other things, the actions would expand mandatory background checks for some private sales and also provide more funding for mental health treatment, FBI staff and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives agents.

"These are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch," Obama told reporters gathered Monday in the Oval Office. "But they are also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support and believe in."

The President said he planned to roll out the new restrictions, aimed at combating a wave of recent shootings, in the coming days. He will hold a town hall on the topic Thursday, January 7, that will air on CNN and is expected to make it a focus next week during his final State of the Union address.

He insists that he merely wants to enact a few common-sense gun safety measures, but Republicans have posed the question, “What about the second amendment?”

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton said, that while she backed Obama’s efforts, she feared that voting another Republican into office would undo any of his progress.

Since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, Obama has tried relentlessly to change the course of gun violence in the U.S. Despite flexing his executive muscle, in the last year, we’ve seen mass shootings in South Carolina, California and Oregon. There were over 8,000 Americans dead due to gun violence in 2015. These events that have finally broke the last straw for Obama.

“We’ve become numb to this,” Obama said in October, his voice dripped with disbelief and frustration after yet another mass killing. He has questioned the nation that he leads, asking why no other advanced country seems so blighted with regular killing sprees.

Obama is turning his words to actions. He has publicly stated he will be making gun violence a priority for his final year in office.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.