President Obama took a strong stance against gun violence and announced executive actions to be put into place in an effort to improve gun control during a speech at the White House today (January 5th).
The executive actions call for individuals who sell firearms to register as licensed gun dealers, in an effort to limit undocumented gun sales via small gun sellers, as well as expanded background checks to also screen gun sales made online and at trade shows.
“Each time this comes up we are fed the excuse that common-sense reforms like background checks might not have stopped the last massacre, or the one before that, or the one before that, so why bother trying. I reject that thinking. 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.” President Obama said in his speech.
The president also opening condemned Republicans who opposed expanded background checks on gun buyers and sellers advising that they should be voted against at the polls.He also challenged the National Rifle Association and made it known that his position is not to take away everyone’s guns.
“I believe in the Second Amendment, there written on paper, that guarantees the right to bear arms,” Obama said. “No matter how many times people try to twist my words around, I taught constitutional law. I know a little bit about this. But I also believe that we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”
