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Obama Sets the Stage for Quick Action on Gun Violence
President Obama set the stage for an epic gun policy battle with Republicans by demanding recommendations by January from his gun violence task force.
Here is the video:
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Obama highlighted not just gun laws, but also mental health and cultural issues. Obama later announced that Vice President Biden will be heading up a task force to deliver him policy positions by no later than January. He stressed that this isn’t a presidential commission. The president said he selected Biden because of his legislative history in the Senate.
Obama mentioned banning assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and he nailed Republicans for blocking a new head of the ATF for six years. Obama said that the vast majority of gun owners are responsible and law abiding. The president believes that these responsible gun owners don’t want guns in the hands of dangerous people. Obama listed all of the gun crimes in the country since Friday, and said each American was a victim of daily gun violence that we can’t accept as routine. He said we can’t prevent all gun violence, but that can’t be an excuse not try.
The president said, “If we are going to change things it is going to take a wave of Americans….to stand up and say enough.” He called for common sense and cooperation to prevail to make America safer.
This is the biggest sign yet that there are some serious legislative proposals coming soon. The Beltway media has already grown bored with the gun issue so all the initial questions the president faced were about the fiscal cliff. (Surprise. There aren’t any more terrified children to interview, so the media has lost interest in the gun violence story.)
Appointing Vice President Biden to head up this task force was brilliant move by the president. Biden was the author of the historic 1994 crime bill. If anyone already has ideas that can get moving fast, it is Joe Biden. The media is preoccupied with the fiscal cliff, but Obama just set the stage for a huge legislative battle as soon as his second term begins.
The president’s appeal to responsible gun owners is a recognition that the NRA has gone beyond the beliefs of many of their members. According to a poll conducted by Republican pollster Frank Luntz, 70% of NRA members support at least one form of gun restrictions.
The president understands that the national consensus exists for action. He could have taken the easy way out, but Obama looks ready to take on Republicans over the assault weapons ban.
Beyond the fiscal cliff, the stage is set for an epic political battle as Obama is set to challenge the political status quo on guns and violence
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9 Responses to Obama Sets the Stage for Quick Action on Gun Violence
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Rick Shreiner
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I have come to realize over the last few days that much of Team Slaughter (Apologists For Mayhem) resides in GunApologistan .. ..
Emeraress
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Most of us are terrified when it comes to guns! Seems like they can fall into anyones hands including a child, so many crimes and deaths reported as an result of careless people that do not take the responsibility of locking them up in their home and keeping the key some where safe where only they can find it! I think most deaths are premeditated, way to many hate crimes and drug crimes, robberies and the rest carelessness from gun owners! The president wants to see that those who are irresponsible with their guns get punished and not a slap on the hand! I mean a huge fine, or even jail time like a year! Meaning those that have fire arms in the home and keep for protection reasons! The rest of the idiotic people that rob and kill should be locked up permanently and if someone is killed due to their crime I think they should get the death penalty I am tired of hearing it is inhuman to put someone to death with lethal injection…heck they should have thought about it before the committed the crime that resulted in someones death and many deaths…We are all tired of supporting their sorry butts in prison and most have a better life then we do they get anything and everything they want…I say no frills and no other special treatments either!
I believe in and eye for an eye and a death for a death! I think not to long ago someone told me about one city that a gunshot goes off every 4 seconds, I am sure they said Liberty, NY I can’t imagine living my life crawling around on the floor for the rest of my life just to avoid the bullets…moving into a better area is a great alternative to living like that! So President Obama please make it a stiff penalty and take action and arrests for those for irresponsibity of their actions concerning their private weapon!
Joy
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Thanks Jason for a positive moment on the President’s intentions. It was sad how the press has already lost it’s enthusiasm over gun control and the slaughter of children. You have the MSM driving the airwaves about a media hound who wanted another 15 minutes of fame in trying to embarrass the POTUS while disrespecting him and the countless victims and families of gun violence. Where’s the pressure by the MSM on the NRA (scared to death)? Where’s the pressure on the GOP ruled by the NRA? Where’s the pressure on Congress controlling the legislation on gun laws? Where’s the hearts and souls of these so called journalists? Where’s the conscious of America? President Obama is making a move. How about some support? How about keeping the memory of these dear lost ones alive with action and support and not the bullcrap media sensationalism. God bless…
Anne
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
This will do good only if enough people work to ensure that these children and those who died protecting them are not forgotten. There are folks who are hoping that this will recede from the forefront like the ones in Tucson and Aurora did. That said, I also hope the task force will include the participation of parents and others who have been affected by gun violence.
Linda Ogle
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
That isn’t the answer! Are you gonna ban box knives, fertilizer, planes, trains, bombs, cancer, booze, cigarettes, etc., etc., etc.? They kill too, or as much as guns! How about stiffer laws for these offenders? There was a time when there were concequences for these kinds of actions. Since Charles Manson started his butchering spree, we have been jailing offenders and taking care of them for the rest of their lives. Where is the justice? These people get a pat on the back. That is why there is so many trying to top the last one. Think about it.
If I were facing Capital Punishment for a crime like that, I assure you, I would not want to risk my life to have my name in lights! Anyone can claim INSANITY! Anyone. They still are cared for by tax-payers for the rest of their lives. I also think the child molesters should suffer the same fate. You can’t see the scars of the pain they suffer, but, I assure you it is there. That person is destroyed mentally.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
The only thing being talked about being banned is assault rifles.
Ed
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 9:38 pm
What does gun control mean, well it means that only the crooks and the military would have guns. Taking guns away from law bidding citizens will not stop murder and vilolence it will just make it easier for it to happen to you. I believe in background checks and every time I have purchased a gun I have had to go through one. I always carry a gun and I hope I never have to use it but if me or my family is threatened I will use it. In the shooting at the mall in Arizona maybe the little girl that was shot would still be here. If one of the people in the office had access to a firearm the shooting in that school would have ended right there. Be careful what you wish for you just might get it.
Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 9:46 pm
No, thats not what gun control means at all. It means that not everyone should have one, as opposed to the NRA who wants unfettered use of guns. No one is coming to get your guns. Whats wrong with you people? Breitbart? Fox news?
It also means hopefully we will get assault rifles banned, and the magazines that go with them
There is a 50-50 chance that anyone in a school or a mall would be shot, and could possibly shoot more people themselves.
NativeSonKY (@NativeSonKY)
Dec. 23rd, 2012 at 7:34 am
You DO realize that at Columbine High School there WERE armed guards, right? And as Shiva pointed out, nobody is talking about handguns and shotguns or rifles – only assault weapons and large capacity cartridges. No hunter or civilian needs those in any circumstance.