Obama pondering using executive decision on gun control

[regulator 0]

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama is exploring executive orders to help stop mass shootings in America, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday.

"The president is going to act. Executive orders, executive action, can be taken," Biden told reporters before meetings with groups representing survivors of mass shootings. "We haven't decided what this is yet, but we're compiling it all with the help of the attorney general and all the rest of the Cabinet members."

Legislative action also is needed, Biden said.

"I'm convinced we can affect the well-being of millions of Americans, and take thousands of people out of harm's way, if we act responsibly," he said.

Biden: Gun effort a 'moral issue' President Obama vowed last month that a new task force overseen by Biden will provide "concrete proposals" by the end of January to reduce gun violence. The group, which includes an array of Cabinet members and government officials, was established in the wake of the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut that left 27 people dead -- 20 of them elementary school children.

In addition to gun laws, the group is looking at mental health care and what the president has described as a culture that often "glorifies guns and violence."

Among those addressing the group to push for tougher gun laws is Colin Goddard of the Brady Campaign. He was shot four times in the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, in which a gunman killed 32 people and himself.

"My job is to represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans ... that want some comprehensive, common sense changes to our gun policy," he told CNN Wednesday. "There are common ground solutions that respect the Second Amendment."

Many gun sales take place without background checks, and "that's bad policy," he argues. Conducting such checks "doesn't stop a law-abiding citizen from getting a gun. But somebody with a history of illness, felony record, they need to get checked."

On Thursday, Biden's group will hear from the other side: gun rights groups, including the National Rifle Association.

The NRA has argued that it is committed to keeping people protected, but that a focus on stricter gun control is misguided.

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre has called for all U.S. schools to have armed guards

NRA President David Keene later told CNN the group supports schools choosing whether they want armed guards.

A rising chorus of voices is standing up against the NRA and the gun lobby's sway over U.S. politics.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, shot in the head in a mass shooting two years ago, and her husband Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain and astronaut, launched a new political action committee Tuesday to end what they called lawmakers' "fear" of the gun lobby.

After initially saying it would not attend a meeting with the White House on Thursday, Wal-Mart , the nation's largest retailer, said Wednesday it now will.

The company has had "ongoing conversations with the administration, Congress, (New York) Mayor (Michael) Bloomberg's office, sportsmen groups, suppliers and others to listen and share our thoughts and experiences," company spokesman David Tovar said in a statement to CNN.

"Knowing our senior leaders could not be in Washington this week, we spoke in advance with the vice president's office to share our perspective," he said. "We underestimated the expectation to attend the meeting on Thursday in person, so we are sending an appropriate representative to participate."

Wal-Mart sells guns and ammunition.

Previously, the company had insisted that its "experts" on gun control needed to be in Bentonville, Arkansas, where the company is headquartered, for important meetings, and insisted the move should not be interpreted as a "slight" or "diss" to the White House.

Across the country, people are sharing their views on what Washington should decide. Among them are Californians who have packed into town hall meetings.

Some have spoken out in support of renewing a ban on assault weapons -- high-capacity weapons that have been used in numerous mass shootings. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, is pushing to reinstate a ban that expired in 2004.

But others at the town halls argue that banning those guns isn't the answer, and could even be a slippery slope toward banning all guns.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, plans to push for major new gun laws Wednesday, including one of the country's most restrictive bans on assault weapons, the New York Times reported.

Bloomberg, a longtime advocate of stricter gun control, is pushing for tough steps nationwide.

Burlington, Vermont, a city of less than 43,000 people, has already made a move of its own: passing a resolution that could lead to a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.

The city council voted 10-3 in favor of the resolution, which will now be presented in public hearings and voted on by the public before going to the state legislature.

Amid the cacophony of voices battling over the issue, two young former Marines have found themselves in a spotlight online, representing very different views.

First, Joshua Boston posted on CNN iReport an open letter to Feinstein explaining why he would not abide by an assault weapons ban. "I do not believe it is the government's right to know what I own," he wrote in the post, which went viral. "Nor do I think it prudent to tell you what I own so that it may be taken from me by a group of people who enjoy armed protection yet decry me having the same a crime."

On Tuesday, Nick DiOrio responded with his own iReport. Marines don't believe in following the law "only when it suits us," DiOrio wrote, calling Boston's letter "embarrassing because he makes Marines seem insensitive and uncaring." DiOrio said he supports an assault weapons ban.

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IMO This is pretty much the worst case scenerio. If BHO overrides the house and congress to get what he wants...he just might find out that the country could be in worse shape than ever. If he does this he will lose every shred of respect I have for him.

[cvfd1399 0]

I already have no respect for him, and completely believe he is capable of going about a ban this way. I said it in September to my wife and friends, and I believe it now.

[OHCHUTE 0]

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IMO This is pretty much the worst case scenerio. If BHO overrides the house and congress to get what he wants...he just might find out that the country could be in worse shape than ever. If he does this he will lose every shred of respect I have for him.

He said he wasn't going to have an inaugural event on the mall and now he's going to have one. He's not done many things he said he was going to do including ending illegal wars, and ending corporate backed campaigns. I have no respect.

[regulator 0]

Anyone else find it ironic that in that picture next to Biden is Eric Holder? The man directly responsible for 'fast and furious?"

[OHCHUTE 0]

Are these the techniques being used now. Float a story to gain peoples reaction, before you decide to do what it is you want to do. PONDERING. Who knows what he's pondering about? Lance Armstrong's public relation team is pulling the same trick: PONDERING about fessing up.....

Perhaps all gun owners might decend on DC before this conversation get too far along! When is a good date to protest!

[regulator 0]

I wonder if BHO does decide to use his executive powers and overrule the 2nd amendment...how many police and troops will follow his orders since they were sworn in to protect the constitution...not the president.

[cvfd1399 0]

I've heard from a few officers who said their department would not enforce anything, and use the excuse they don't have enough manpower/time, but we will get to it if we can.

[masterrig 1]

According to Biden, he stated that we need a 'common sense approach' to the gun issue. I don't see 'common sense' in Obama's approach. Even the husband of Congresswoman Gifford stated that he and his wife are gun owners and that we need a common sense approach to the gun issue. I whole-heartedly agree with Gifford's thinking but common sense/politicians is an oxy-moron. We have to get away from knee-jerk reactions.


Chuck

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My father is in law enforcement and has been for 30+ years between HPD and BCSO. He currently reloads ammo for BCSO and if the jackass currently in the white house tries this shit I might just have to give my rifles to him...although thats no guarantee either.

[billvon 3,090]

> If he does this he will lose every shred of respect I have for him.

Not really an issue. You (and pretty much every republican here) has indicated you already have zero respect for him.

[billvon 3,090]

>I wonder if BHO does decide to use his executive powers and overrule the 2nd
>amendment...how many police and troops will follow his orders since they were sworn
>in to protect the constitution...not the president.

Probably the same number who followed Bush's orders when he told them to go to war without a congressional declaration of war, as called out in the US Constitution.

[dpreguy 14]

Obama/Biden/Feinstein/Cuomo, Bloomberg and most other gun registration and confiscation advocates just HATE the 10th Amendment, where the individual sates make their own laws and decisions about these matters. In general, those who believe regulation of everything is desirable, and the more regulations the better, would rather have a unitary system of government like the UK. No states rights at all. Just one government-a national government. This type views the states rights concept to be nothing but a pesky obstacle to be circumvented whenever possible.

Seems like the anti gun forces are looking to Washington and executive orders route, as they know it will be a hard sell in their individual states.

[regulator 0]

Why didnt you tell me before you could read my mind. Besides I have a LITTLE respect for him...not much. But since you know everything...

[cvfd1399 0]

Did we go to war before this happened?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution

Please explain

[billvon 3,090]

>Why didnt you tell me before you could read my mind.

I can't. I can, however, read your posts.

[Channman 2]

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My father is in law enforcement and has been for 30+ years between HPD and BCSO. He currently reloads ammo for BCSO and if the jackass currently in the white house tries this shit I might just have to give my rifles to him...although thats no guarantee either.

This blog is a treasure trove for the NSA...

[billvon 3,090]

>Did we go to war before this happened?
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution

Cool resolution.

Now, can you point me to the declaration of war that Congress passed, as described in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution?

(Of course if you don't care about that part of the Constitution I imagine a "resolution" should be just fine.)

[DanG 1]

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I wonder if BHO does decide to use his executive powers and overrule the 2nd amendment...

Where does your article say anything about Obama overruling the 2nd Amerdment?

I'll answer for you: nowhere.

I'm in favor of gun rights, but the country needs to have a conversation. Assigning motives and intent to people without any evidence is not a good way to have a conversation. Threatening armed resistance to a strawman is even less productive.

- Dan G

[lawrocket 3]

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Probably the same number who followed Bush's orders when he told them to go to war without a congressional declaration of war, as called out in the US Constitution.

Congress delegated the power in its resolution authorizing use of force. In the First Circuit opinion on Doe v. Bush the court wrote:

Quote

An extreme case might arise, for example, if Congress gave absolute discretion to the President to start a war at his or her will... Plaintiffs' objection to the October Resolution does not, of course, involve any such claim. Nor does it involve a situation where the President acts without any apparent congressional authorization, or against congressional opposition... To the contrary, Congress has been deeply involved in significant debate, activity, and authorization connected to our relations with Iraq for over a decade, under three different presidents of both major political parties, and during periods when each party has controlled Congress.

Kind of an unfair comparison.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[regulator 0]

Youre right I should have used some other words other than 'overrule the 2nd amendment'...however if they ban assault rifles, and someone goes into another theater with a shotgun...oh well lets ban those too...whats next flintlocks?

[billvon 3,090]

>Congress delegated the power in its resolution authorizing use of force.

Ah, so they decided to read the Constitution a bit less literally. That's fine; no problem there. I do find it funny, though, that in most cases the very same people who demand literal readings of some parts of the Constitution vociferously defend more creative readings when "their guy" is in office. (Not saying you do this.)

[firemedic 7]

I have no doubt that HRH Obama will use an executive order to do this. The only thing he is pondering is how to spin it to the public. What an asshat.


ETA: Sorry, I'm just venting

[lawrocket 3]

The reading of the constitution is strict or loose depending upon the subjective feelings of the person seeing the policy.

Thus, some people think guns are a great thing when used by responsible people, like them, but that irresponsible people, like nutters, gang bangers, blacks and hispanics should not be allowed.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[masterrig 1]

blacks and hispanics should not be allowed.