President Barack Obama called on Congress to act swiftly on a series of measures aimed at curbing gun violence in the country.
Obama, in the final weekly address of his first term, said that although his administration is taking some actions to reduce gun violence, the “real and lasting difference” will require Congressional action.
Congress, Obama said, needs to enact laws requiring a background check for anyone seeking to purchase a gun, closing the so-called gun show loophole.
“The law already requires licensed gun dealers to perform these checks, but as many as 40% of all gun purchases are conducted without one,” he said. “That’s not safe, it’s not smart, and it’s not fair to responsible gun buyers or sellers.”
He added, “Anyone trying to buy a gun should at least have to prove they’re not a felon, or someone legally prohibited from owning one. That’s just common sense.”
Obama also called on Congress to re-institute the ban on the sale of “military-style assault weapons” and high-capacity ammunition magazines.
“Many assault rifles, when combined with high-capacity magazines, have one purpose and one purpose only: to fire as many bullets as possible as quickly as possible,” he said. “These weapons have no place in our communities.”
Congress should also act to support local communities by providing funds for additional police officers and make the consequences for selling guns to criminals stricter, Obama said.
“I believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms,” Obama said. “We have a strong tradition of gun ownership in this country, and the vast majority of gun owners act responsibly.”
He added, “I also believe most gun owners agree that we can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible, law-breaking few from causing harm on a massive scale. That’s what these reforms are designed to do.”
Enacting these reforms, Obama said, will not be easy, noting that some have already labeled his proposed reforms an “all-out assault on liberty.”
“If, like me, you want this time to be different, then I need your help to make it different,” he said. “Ask your Member of Congress if they support universal background checks and renewing a ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. And if the answer is no, ask them why not.”
He added, “Let’s make this country a safer place for all our children to learn and grow.”
by RTT Staff Writer
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