President Barack Obama plans to expand background checks to cover more weapons, like ones purchased online or at tradeshows, in an effort to reduce and curb gun violence in America.
Speaking at a press conference, President Obama said he intended to broaden background checks in his final year in office, hoping to quell some gun crimes that seem to be popping up more frequently across the US.
“This is not going to solve every violent crime in this country,” Obama said. Still, he added, “It will potentially save lives and spare families the pain of these extraordinary losses.”
As the law currently stands, only federally licensed gun dealers must conduct background checks on buyers, meaning that some people who sell weapons at flea markets, online or at certain tradeshows don’t need to conduct background checks. With Obama leading the charge, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will issue updated guidelines requiring anyone “in the business” of selling guns to register as a dealer, forcing them to conduct the checks. Although reputable dealers would deal with any restrictions in regards to gun sales and gun accessories wholesale regardless of the law.
Sides Divided
Not surprisingly, talks about restricting gun sales without a background check caused different reactions among Democrats and Republicans. Speaking at a rally in Iowa, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said she wouldn’t repeal the measure put forth by Obama, but she cautioned that Republicans may try to do away with the measures. Republican Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn, seemed to share that view, saying Obama’s plan is “divisive and detrimental to real solutions,” adding that he “will work with my colleagues to respond appropriately to ensure the Constitution is respected.”
As part of Obama’s plan to prevent certain gun dealers from slipping through the cracks, the FBI plans to hire 230 more examiners to handle the background checks. More than 60,000 background checks are submitted every day, and FBI examiners only have 72 hours to determine if a person is unfit to purchase a weapon before the buyer can return to the gun shop and legally buy the weapon without a background check. Obama also plans to ask Congress for more than $500 million to improve mental health care in the country, and he is considering closing a loophole that allows certain entities from buying sawed-off shotguns and machine guns without background checks.
Obama is expected to discuss his plan in further detail during a televised appearance Thursday night during primetime. He’s also expected to share his thoughts the issue during his final State of the Union address next week.
Related source: Star Tribune
