This morning President Obama, declaring, "This is our first task in society: keeping our children safe" signed executive orders putting 23 directives on gun-related issues into effect and called on congress to take action on seven others. See his presentation here. Extensive public opinion surveys by two highly-regarded organizations, Pew Research and the ABC News/Washington Post Poll, indicate a strong majority of Americans support him. In accepting Vice President Biden's recommendations for gun safety in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, the President vowed to "use whatever power this office has" to fight for passage of his agenda, and called on Americans to communicate their support to their representatives. We will now see to what extent the will of the majority can prevail on an issue against a determined minority backed by the organized money of one of Capitol Hill's most powerful lobbies.
Among the items included in the 23 presidential directives are instructions to law enforcement to share felony and background check information with other jurisdictions and gun dealers, to help school districts that so desire to hire additional "resource specialists" and to make it easier for mental health providers to warn of dangerous individuals. He is also directing the Center for Disease Control to research the causes of murderous behavior, including violent video games.
Among the items the President wants from congress are:
Money to implement the research and the other measures, about $500 million. Require a universal background check for anyone buying a gun, thereby closing the gun show, online and personal sale loopholes. A ban on military-style assault weapons. Limiting an ammunition magazine to ten rounds. Severely increase the penalties for those who flout the requirements or who buy weapons to provide them to criminals. Confirm Acting Director Todd Jones as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a position congress has refused to fill for six years. Provide funds and a program to help localities hire more police.
According to the ABC News/Washington Post Poll and the Pew Research Survey the people are with the President on his ideas, often overwhelmingly so. Universal background checks are favored by an average of 85% in the two surveys. 76% support background checks on even ammo purchases in the ABC Poll. An average of 69% are for a federal gun database. Banning assault weapons is favored by a margin of 17%, and banning the high capacity magazines is favored by an average of 22% in the two surveys.
President Obama described the effort saying, "We can respect the Second Amendment while keeping guns out of the hands of an irresponsible few." Emphasizing "It's time to do the right thing," he pointed out that action is urgent because, "In the month since Sandy Hook 900 more Americans have died at the end of a gun." He granted that "no law" can prevent all violence but, referring to children who had written him on the stage with him, to survivors and parents of victims in the audience, held that "if even one child's life is saved" that we must act.
The President is under no illusion the task will be easy. He called on the membership of gun rights organizations to call on their leaders to support these sensible steps, and on Americans in general to communicate their support to their representatives. "The only way we can change is if the American people demand it. They have to say, enough!" he said. He recommended finding out if your congressional representative is for background checks and limiting assault weapons. If not, "Ask them why not. What's more important, getting an A grade from the gun lobby and money for their campaign, or giving parents some peace of mind when they drop their children off for first grade?"
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