Posted: 01/17/2013 at 9:32am | IP Logged

Obama Signs 23 Executive Orders on Gun Control

Video Link>

CBN News

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama unveiled sweeping proposals to curb gun violence, signing 23 executive orders, Tuesday, that don't require the approval of Congress.

In the month that has passed since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, Obama said 900 people have died from gunshot wounds.

He said Americans, including the children who wrote him letters urging him to do something to prevent more mass shootings, want action.

Will doctors now be required to ask patients if they have guns in the home? Ken Klukowski, author of The Blueprint: Obama's Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency, explains this and more on the implications of Obama's orders, on CBN Newswatch, Jan. 16.

"We will make it easier to keep guns out of the hands of criminals by strengthening the background check system. We will help schools hire more resource officers if they want them," he said.

He's also directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study ways to reduce gun violence.

The audience, filled with gun violence victims and gun control advocates, applauded when the president announced a measure that will need congressional action: background checks on all gun buyers, closing the so-called "gun show loophole."

"The law already requires licensed dealers to run background checks and over the last 14 years that's kept 1.4 million of the wrong people from getting their hands on a gun," Obama said.

"But it's hard to enforce when as many as 40 percent of gun purchases are conducted without a background check," he added.

The president called on Americans to demand change, especially those from regions with strong traditions of gun ownership, to pressure their members of Congress.

Obama said he believes the Second Amendment guarantees an individuals right to bear arms and he respects America's tradition of gun ownership. He said that respect can remain intact while still reducing gun violence.

"There will be pundits and politicians and special interest lobbyists publicly warning of a tyrannical all-out assault on liberty," Obama said. "Not because that's true, but because they want to gin up fear."

The National Rifle Association is already out with an ad calling the president an "elitist hypocrite" when it comes to promoting security.

"Are the president's kids more important than yours? Then why is he skeptical about putting armed security in our schools when his kids are protected by armed guards at their school," the ad says.

Obama wants to capitalize on the mood of the country following the tragedy at Sandy Hook, but it will likely be months before members address gun legislation.

First they must address three looming fiscal deadlines to meet. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said immigration reform, not gun control, tops his priority list.

Posted: 01/17/2013 at 10:03am | IP Logged

Exec. Orders Set Stage for Gun Control Showdown

Video Link>

CBN News

President Obama announced plans for sweeping new gun laws. The president's proposals set the stage for what could be the biggest political battle over gun control in decades.

The backlash began Thursday, with those opposing the measures vowing to fight on every level.

Obama said his sweeping plans would prevent more mass shootings and keep America's children safe. But critics say it amounts to executive overreach and an assault on the Second Amendment.

"President Obama's series of gun control measures amount to an executive power grab that may please his political base but will not solve the problems at hand," Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said in a statement.

Several states are already pushing back against the president's move. In Mississippi, the governor said he wants to make it illegal in his state to enforce any new federal gun laws.

"To use this tragedy somehow as to say we need great reform... is just the wrong thing to do," Miss. Gov. Phil Bryant said.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott agreed.

"Is it appropriate, however, for politicians to overreact and take actions that are both counter-productive and unconstitutional?" Abbot asked. "So what we're prepared to do is to ensure that constitutional guarantees are not stripped away because of political over reaction."

In Oregon, Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller said he won't enforce any gun law he believes is unconstitutional.

"We can't let crimes, no matter how heinous they are, of very few people dictate federal regulations and laws that infringe upon the constitutional rights of honest Americans," Mueller said.

Ken Klukowski from the Family Research Council told CBN News that state and local governments are within their rights to refuse to enforce executive orders from the president.

"Executive orders do not apply to private citizens, private companies, nor do they apply to state governments or local governments like sheriffs or a state attorney general or what not. The president has no such authority," Klukowski said.

The president took 23 executive actions on Wednesday that don't require the approval of Congress.

"We will make it easier to keep guns out of the hands of criminals by strengthening the background check system," Obama said. "We will help schools hire more resource officers if they want them."

To put major changes in place, the president needs congressional approval, a move that is sure to face major opposition.

The president is asking Americans to examine their hearts and demand change.

"There will be pundits and politicians and special interest lobbyists publicly warning of a tyrannical all-out assault on liberty," Obama said. "Not because that's true but because they want to gin up fear."

The president spent very little time talking about the media's effect on gun violence, making no connection between bloody video games and movies to gun violence in the United States.

Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he believes prayer can be more effective than gun control laws.

"Let us all return to our places of worship and pray for help," Perry said. "Above all, let us pray for our children."