E-MAIL THIS LINK
To: 

US gun debate: Obama unveils gun control proposals
President Barack Obama has unveiled a raft of sweeping gun control proposals, setting the stage for a showdown with firearms rights advocates.

Mr Obama called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and wider background checks on gun buyers. The Democratic president also signed 23 executive actions, which do not require congressional approval.

Mr Obama said gun-control reforms could not wait any longer, after last month's school massacre in Connecticut.
Never let a crisis go to waste, I think Rahm said...
He unveiled the proposals at the White House on Wednesday, flanked by children who wrote him letters after December's Newtown school shooting, which left 26 dead.
But it's despicable to ask him why the children of the nomenklatura can have armed guards at their schools...
Mr Obama said: "If there's even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there's even one life that can be saved, then we've got an obligation to try."

He urged Congress:

  • to reintroduce an expired ban on "military-style" assault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings

  • limit ammunition magazines to 10 rounds

  • introduce background checks on all gun sales; currently private sales and some sales at gun shows, constituting about 40% of the national total, are exempt

  • pass a ban on possession and sale of armour-piercing bullets

  • introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals

  • finally approve the appointment of the head of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Mr Obama also signed 23 unilateral orders, including an end to a ban on gun-violence research by a prominent federal agency, as well as a measure promoting responsible gun ownership.

He acknowledged his legislative push would encounter stiff opposition in Congress.
Posted by: tipper 2013-01-16
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=360234