Obama aide: Gun legislation in 'near future'

[RamboLiberal]

Six months after the shooting in Tucson that killed six people and wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., the Obama administration has yet to move on new gun control legislation.

That could change soon.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said a special task force has been "working through these complex issues, and we expect to have some more specific announcements in the near future."

-----

"The president directed the attorney general to form working groups with key stakeholders to identify common-sense measures that would improve American safety and security while fully respecting Second Amendment rights," Carney said.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/07/obama-aide-gun-legislation-in-near-future/1?csp=34news

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. All six people here...

...who haven't given up on him already are over in the Gungeon, and this will put paid to them.

Might as well just put the DU servers up on Craigslist.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. oh, the irony.

[drpepper67]

62. Was this put out before or after the ATFs gunrunner was exposed?

[Glassunion]

2. I look forward to seeing what the Prez puts on the table.

Obama:

"I know that every time we try to talk about guns, it can reinforce stark divides. People shout at one another, which makes it impossible to listen. We mire ourselves in stalemate, which makes it impossible to get to where we need to go as a country.

However, I believe that if common sense prevails, we can get beyond wedge issues and stale political debates to find a sensible, intelligent way to make the United States of America a safer, stronger place.

I'm willing to bet that responsible, law-abiding gun owners agree that we should be able to keep an irresponsible, law-breaking few -- dangerous criminals and fugitives, for example -- from getting their hands on a gun in the first place.

I'm willing to bet they don't think that using a gun and using common sense are incompatible ideas - that we should check someone's criminal record before he can check out at a gun seller; that an unbalanced man shouldn't be able to buy a gun so easily; that there's room for us to have reasonable laws that uphold liberty, ensure citizen safety and are fully compatible with a robust Second Amendment.

That's why our focus right now should be on sound and effective steps that will actually keep those irresponsible, law-breaking few from getting their hands on a gun in the first place."

I doubt it is going to be as bad as some at the NRA are pissing themselves over.

[-..__...]

13. Don't be surprised if the loudest shrieking you hear...

comes from privacy advocates and/or mental health professionals.

[Abq_Sarah]

33. Perhaps his time would be better spent

Cleaning out the jackasses at BATF and the justice department who were behind Project Gunrunner and Castaway.

Once the government stops enabling firearms trafficking to South America and punishes those responsible, I might be inclined to listen to his thoughts concerning "irresponsible and law-breaking" people being allowed to access firearms in this country.

[Drale]

4. ZOMG ZOMG

OBAMA GONA TAKE ALL THE GUNS AND GIVE THEM TO GAY BLACK LIBERAL UNEMPLOYED WOMEN WHO'VE HAD ABORTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!:sarcasm:

[yellerpup]

5. Wow! I qualify for something!

Almost.... :rofl:

[oneshooter]

15. You forgot the hispanic surname in there. n/t

[slackmaster]

6. Bloom County on the endangered liberal

[damntexdem]

7. Oh, look, shiny! Forget about Social Security.

[DonP]

8. Yeah, that makes so much sense going into an election cycle

I'm pretty sure the WH is in the business of telling each little voting bloc what they think they need to hear and lets. be kind and just say their track record for actually following through leaves a bit to be desired.

[X_Digger]

9. Let's hope so.

I can't imagine them making such a blunder, as you put it, so close to an election cycle.

On second thought.. it could just be more 'enforce the laws already on the books'. (Wasn't that what they said earlier this spring?)

[DonP]

12. But ... we had the "under the radar" gun control conversation too

When Sara and Jimbo Brady visited the Prez and he told them he was working "under the radar" on ideas for more gun control.

At the time I thought he was just pulling their leg to shut them up ... until the whole F&F thing blew up.

Now Im starting to wonder how high the whole thing goes and will Holder "resign to spend more time with his family" sometime soon?

But it wouldn't be the first ham handed thing his advisors have put together so far.

[X_Digger]

14. Agreed..

I dismissed the brady bunch 'under the table' comment as placating the loony fringe as well-- until I compared the timelines of those comments and F&F.

Of course, having F&F blow up like it has makes it less likely to be used as a justification for additional federal legislation.


My only remaining concern is some executive order, which doesn't require congressional approval- something cloaked in the guise of 'reform in light of recent events' that just so happens to implement some of the goals that F&F had.

[Abq_Sarah]

34. Executive orders

Govern the fed. They are used to help the President govern the executive branch. They can't be used to make law since that's a violation of the separation of powers. Any EO that restricts "rights" has no force of law and does not need to be obeyed.

[X_Digger]

36. I should have clarified..

I was thinking of the ATF's attempt to do by their own power for long guns what it took an act of congress to do for handguns- namely the 'enhanced reporting' directive.

I could imagine the President making some 'strong recommendations' via the DOJ that end up with ATF proposed rule changes.

[Abq_Sarah]

50. What he can do

Is issue an EO stating the laws on the books will be enforced.

[X_Digger]

51. Let's hope that's the extent. n/t

[DonP]

37. Yup, F&F has changed objectives that's for sure

If one of the objectives was to use F&F as an excuse to tighten gun restrictions without benefit of a congressional vote, it's new objective is to cover as many high placed butts as they can, as quickly as they can.

But the private testimony of the acting director, with a personal lawyer instead of Holder's hand picked team, does not bode well for Holder and his boys. I really hope to God this stops at Holder and there is no established link with the WH.

Remember Holder and Hillary making all those speeches about how American Gun Stores and Gun Shows were feeding all the cartels? Then supporting it with pictures of M-2's and other military ordnance. I wonder if the NYT or 60 minutes will be running those as a retrospective?

[RamboLiberal]

10. FYI I didn't dupe myself - 1 got blown out of GD

Guess gun policy discussion in GD a no-no.

[east texas lib]

20. It's the stigma that keeps on giving...nt

}(

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

24. I guess if I can't say something that isn't...

...alert/mod bait, I'll say that I can see it both ways.

This brings to mind a story my wife had from a particular hospital of what many times was the highlight of her day. It always gave her a smile going to the cafeteria to get lunch. It seems the sign posted at the door read: "Caution: Door swings both ways." ;)

Now I think it's high time that the party leadership acknowledged that party members are also on both sides of the firearm/control issue and do something that is more unifying than it is divisive.

:grouphug:

[spin]

11. Maybe a law will be passed to regulate the ATF and stop its gun smuggling operation ...

Now we are hearing that the ATF field office in Tampa was involved in smuggling guns to Honduras. Just how many ATF offices were aiding smugglers?

[S_B_Jackson]

16. How about before the Justice Department get involved in anything else

that they first come clean about the whole "Operation Fast & Furious" fiasco?

Who at Justice approved this dog's breakfast? Did the Attorney General know of the details of this program? Did he approve it?

[east texas lib]

19. Gunwalker is spinning out of Justice's control...

I think it will eventually cost Holder his job. The acting head of ATF took his own lawyer and met with Issa so Justice couldn't throw him under the bus.

[ileus]

17. Not again....what not enough drama in DC???

[Atypical Liberal]

18. Here's my take:

If we see anti-firearm legislation proposed before the election, it will be a clear indicator that the President does not believe he can win reelection.

[Hoyt]

23. Or, he doesn't think he'll lose. Or, he's doing what is right, no matter consequences.

I don't think we'll have much proposed before the election.

Although, incremental legislation will only tick off a small portion of gunners -- those who'd risk ruining the country over something like guns. All the dang issues we have, and some people would vote the other way over guns.

Fortunately, most would never vote for him anyway -- they wouldn't vote for him if he gave them, and their unborn children, a hi cap mag and kits to cover all their semi-autos to autos, legally. And free bullets for all.

[lawodevolution]

27. Your view on the gun issue is not the "Right" view.

[friendly_iconoclast]

29. Doing "what is right, no matter consequences." has thrown elections to the GOP in the past.

And then whatever "right" was done gets undone (and more besides), the 1994 so-called "assault weapon ban" being the prime example.

Or the Texas gubernatorial race in 1994, for another


I know there is a part of the Democratic Party that is bound and determined to proceed in a manner that almost

guarantees that they (and us) will get 100% of nothing instead of 80% of what we all want- but I'll be damnned if I'll

help enable them any more than I have to....

[eqfan592]

32. Here here!! nt

[friendly_iconoclast]

44. "Well yes, the Pubs *are* busily undoing everything , including gun control, that we stood for....

...but at least we had the correct position on gun control. It was totally worth it!"

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Abq_Sarah]

35. Doing "what's right"

Is obeying his oath of office. You know, that preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States part.

[rl6214]

40. You just can't post something without throwing in some idiotic statement

"they wouldn't vote for him if he gave them, and their unborn children, a hi cap mag and kits to cover all their semi-autos to autos, legally. And free bullets for all."

"I don't think we'll have much proposed before the election."
And he won't propose anything because he knows he will be run out of office because it is NOT what is right.

[Hoyt]

45. It is best for our country long-term, even if it sends 3 to 4% who carry into whining fits.

[Glassunion]

46. 10% to 11%

[friendly_iconoclast]

47. ...or drives those who espouse it from public office.

Better "correct" than effective, amirite?

[ileus]

42. hi cap mag and kits to cover all their semi-autos to autos??? what kind of kits?

nevermind small typo...should have been convert.



Myself I have no use for full auto, basically useless unless you're at a machine gun shoot and able to charge people to fire your Class III firearm.


Now if he was giving away lifetime supply of ammo to go along maybe...that could be fun for a while.

[aikoaiko]

21. On one hand I welcome new creative ideas, but there is much risk here for the Obama admin.

More than likely they will step in the same pile of gun control shit.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[applegrove]

25. Oh please let it have teeth. Let their be huge jail sentences for people with illegal guns.

[pipoman]

26. Funny

They get thousands of names every year of people who are prohibited from owning guns trying to aquire one (or more), but actually investigate <2%. Sentences and laws are completely useless when they are ignored as they currently are.

[S_B_Jackson]

28. What difference would MORE punitive laws make?

the US government already plea bargains away gun charges as a first step....instead of adopting new laws, why not try the more expedient method of strongly enforcing current laws.

For example, every straw purchase means at least 3 separate felony charges for lying or misrepresenting on three different questions on an ATF Form 4473. Each charges carries with penalty of up to 10 years and up to 250,000 fine PER OFFENSE. The best estimate is that over 2000 firearms were knowingly sold in Operation Fast & Furious. That means that there was a potential of up to 60,000 years in prison and as much as $1.5 BILLION in fines which could have been assessed just from transactions supervised by the Phoenix branch of the ATF.

But the Justice Department will negotiate almost all of those assessments away...........

[gejohnston]

30. There are.

Felon in possession is a mandatory minimum five years, if it goes to federal court
unregistered machine gun or sawed off shotgun, up to ten years, if it goes to federal court

As other posters pointed out, the odds of the local DA sending it to a US attorney? Pretty close to zero. The laws have teeth, the problem is with local DAs. Before we do anything, how about doing something Brady Bunch and the NRA actually agree on?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Exile

[DonP]

38. Good point - Nice to see you agree with the NRA position

They are also in favor of stricter enforcement of gun related crimes as well and an end to plea bargaining of gun crimes.

[PavePusher]

39. There are no "illegal guns".

There are people who illegally possess guns.

And yes, the distinction is large and important.

[applegrove]

48. Just like guns don't kill people, people kill people right?

:sarcasm:

[PavePusher]

49. Exactly, actually.

NO :sarcasm:

[applegrove]

53. Just take the guns out of the equation with such statements and then force someone to argue that.

Bull****!

[friendly_iconoclast]

54. Japan's suicide rate is higher than our murder and suicide rates combined...

...but they have very few guns.

Is this better than what we have?


Mexico, Jamaica, and Russia have severely restrictive gun laws- and higher murder rates than the US.

Are these better than what we have?


You might want to pay attention to the actors, not their props...

[rrneck]

55. Okay

Do you have a firearm free self defense solution that works as well as a gun?

[gejohnston]

56. Just to pile on

All of the 88 countries that have higher murder rates than we do, have very strict UK and DC style gun control laws.

Our homocide rate is 5 per 100K in 2010
Here is a sample:
El Salvador-71
Russia-13
Mexico-18
Jamaica-60
South Africa-34
Belize-33
Brazil-22
North Korea-19
Costa Rica-11
Cuba-5.5
Indonesia-8.9
Haiti-22

All of them have "civilized" gun laws according to your dream.

Countries where private ownership of guns is relatively common, including handguns:
Norway-0.61
Finland-2.5
New Zealand-2.2
Switzerland-0.71
France-1.31
Canada-1.81
Czech Republic-1.94
Somalia-3.2
Yemen-4.0

Japan's suicide rate is 22 per 100,000. Their murder rate was 0.83 per 100,000 in 2010. One thing about how Japan counts suicides, they have several words for suicides for each type. They have a problem with murder/suicides in families. If Dad murders Mom and the three kids before doing himself in, we count it as one suicide and four murders. They count it as five suicides. There are different words to distinguish the difference, but still listed as a suicide.

[applegrove]

57. All of those countries with higher murder rates are much poorer than the USA. Poverty kills. Not a

fair comparison. Most of those countries with lower murder rates are wealthy.

[gejohnston]

58. That is the UN statistics, and that is reality.

Russia and South Africa are both wealthy. Given the way the right wing destroyed the middle class in the US, one could argue that we are fast becoming a third world country ourselves. But the issue is not poverty or anything else, your point was about gun laws specifically. There was a time when Europe and Canada had laxer gun laws than parts of the US, but Canada had immigrant fears in the late 19th century and post WW1 Europe feared leftist radicals and passed their first gun laws. Crime was already low and stayed the same. Had nothing to do with crime or making a more civil society or any of that other BS. In 1920, NYC had stricter gun laws than London, London still had a lower crime rate.

Even then, are they poor or just a very loaded oligarchy like Mexico, microscopic middle class, and lots of working poor? Mexico and South Africa are both rich countries as is Russia. The problem is wealth distribution.

Yemen is still poor, well armed, and lower homicide rate.

[applegrove]

59. Russian and South Africa are not wealthy. They both have a horrid distribution of wealth.

[gejohnston]

61. South Africa is wealthy, just still concentrated in the hands of the

Dutch speaking whites and a very few few black elites, everyone else is seriously poor. Mexico is the same way, about thirty oligarchs who blame us for the problems they create and everyone else. Horrid wealth distribution is an understatement. Thanks to Reaganomics, we have been increasingly heading in that direction. We have the biggest wealth gap among what you think of as wealthy countries. UK is second thanks to Thatchernomics. Japan and Switzerland both have high suicide rates, which is almost all of Switzerland's gun deaths.

[PavePusher]

60. Please list some "illegal guns" for us.

I'll wait....

[Howzit]

41. Hufpo reference:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/07/obama-unveil-gun-control-reforms_n_892633.html

[DonP]

43. Very nice touch - "Can't get it through congress so executive orders"

I seem to recall a bunch of people around here going absolutely ape shit when Bush did that a few years back?

But as long as it's about gun control it's all of a sudden just fine to bypass the elected representatives and do what you and Eric Holder know is best.

Now we can look forward to the same hypocrites that all of a sudden fell in love with the Bush/Cheney "Terrah" list to support Executive Orders to bypass Congress and telling us that "nobody is taking away your guns" except for these and those over there and you don't really "need" those anyway.

This does not bode well for the 2012 election. It's handing another huge pointy stick to the GOP.

[jeepnstein]

52. I'm not holding my breath.

No way, no how, is he going to stir up that hornets' nest this close to the 2012 election. There's nothing for him to gain from doing so.

[Hoopla Phil]

63. What reason is he going to give for this?

Gabby Giffords? If anything that is an example of how existing laws need to be implemented. It is NOT a reason for more of the same - that only law abiding will follow. How many times was that shooter in trouble with the law? He should have been disqualified as a buyer a long time ago. If not for the inaction of the sheriff he would have. I wonder if that inaction had anything to do with a personal relationship between the shooters mother and the sheriff?

[Ragnarok]

64. Enforce with tenacity the 20,000+ existing laws...

...and I'll back you all the way. Do anything else to restrict my 2A rights and you've lost this Minnesota liberal's vote. That includes an end run to get some Czar or Agency head to create some new ruling or regulation. Sorry. I'll only ride this train so far before I've got to look for another option.

[jpak]

65. Good - most Americans are not gun owners or members of the GOP/NRA

Obama has little to fear from the gun cult-urists - politically

yup