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“Gun violence has taken a heartbreaking toll on too many communities across the country,” the White House said in a statement.  “Over the past decade in America, more than 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence—and millions more have been the victim of assaults, robberies, and other crimes involving a gun.”

“Many of these crimes were committed by people who never should have been able to purchase a gun in the first place,” the White House said.

Specifically, according to the White House, here is what Obama is proposing:

  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is making clear that it doesn’t matter where you conduct your business—from a store, at gun shows, or over the Internet:  If you’re in the business of selling firearms, you must get a license and conduct background checks.
  • Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has sent a letter to states highlighting the importance of receiving complete criminal history records and criminal dispositions, information on persons disqualified because of a mental illness, and qualifying crimes of domestic violence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is overhauling the background check system to make it more effective and efficient.  The envisioned improvements include processing background checks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully attempt to buy a gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process these background checks.

Republican presidential contenders are now threatening to repeal any executive actions that Obama takes on gun control if their party’s candidate should replace him in the White House.

But what should Obama do –nothing? Should he just sit back and become a lame-duck president and limp through his last year in office?

Or should he circumvent Congress and take a stand on issues like gun control that could ultimately help prevent mass murders?

“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now, but they can’t hold America hostage,” Obama said. “Congress still needs to act. The folks in this room will not rest until Congress does.”

In his final year in office, the president has chosen to courageously challenge existing gun laws in an effort to protect all Americans. And the way I see it, that’s real leadership.

What do you think?

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President Obama’s Stand On Gun Control Is The Right Move  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

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