Obama may bypass Congress to reform gun laws

President Barack Obama, frustrated

by Congress' inaction on gun
control, will meet with U.S. Attorney
General Loretta Lynch on Monday to
discuss ways of reducing gun
violence without congressional
approval.
Obama, in his weekly recorded
address, said on Friday he has
received "too many letters from
parents, and teachers, and kids, to sit
around and do nothing."
He has repeatedly urged Congress to
tighten gun laws . His calls grew
louder following the 2012 massacre
at an elementary school in Newtown,
Connecticut, and again after mass
shootings in Colorado Springs,
Colorado, and San Bernardino ,
California in
recent months.
"A few months ago, I directed my
team at the White House to look into
any new actions I can take to help
reduce gun violence," Obama said in
the address. "And on Monday, I'll
meet with our attorney general,
Loretta Lynch, to discuss our
options."
The Washington Post, citing several
individuals briefed on the matter,
said Obama and Lynch would finalize
executive actions, which do not
require congressional approval, that
he will unveil next week.
Frustrated by Congress, Obama has
vowed to use "whatever power this
office holds" to put in place gun
control measures
.
"We know that we can't stop every
act of violence," Obama said. "But
what if we tried to stop even one?
What if Congress did something -
anything - to protect our kids from
gun violence?"
Obama's address came as a Texas
law allowing licensed firearms
owners to carry handguns openly in
public places took effect.
Republican Texas Governor Greg
Abbott echoed its backers' slogan in
a Twitter comment: "Obama wants to
impose more gun control. My
response? COME & TAKE IT."
The Post said Obama would use
executive authority in several areas,
including expanding background-
check requirements for buyers who
purchase weapons from high-volume
dealers.
Ted Alcorn, research director for gun
control advocacy group Everytown,
said Everytown officials met with
Obama in December to make
recommendations for executive
action.
Top among them was a regulation to
clarify when gun sellers need a
federal firearms license, he said.
Thousands of guns are sold yearly
by dealers who fall between licensed
dealers and occasional sellers who
do not need a license. Clarification
could define which sellers need to
meet rules and do background
checks. Alcorn said.
On Thursday, White House
spokesman Eric Schultz said Obama
was aware Congress was unlikely to
act on gun reform.


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