Gun control has been a highly controversial issue for many years, and President Obama's new gun control measures are at the forefront of that debate right now. The NRA and many gun owners are concerned about their 2nd Amendment rights, but the facts show why you shouldn't be afraid.
To be clear, I am highly conservative and strongly for the rights of citizens to bear arms, whether it be through concealed weapons permits (CWP) or open carry of firearms. Even though the public carrying of assault rifles makes me nervous, I do not wish for those individuals right to do so to be terminated. I tell you these things so you, the reader, know where I'm coming from when I say I'm not concerned about, but rather favor, President Obama's new gun control measures.
First, most of the measures are already in place. The new measures are simply a needed expansion in those measures. For instance, Obama is calling for a 200 agent expansion to the ATF to enforce laws already in place, helping combat the illegal sale of weapons or the sale to those who do not actually qualify to purchase firearms. Another expansion would be for the FBI's background check capabilities, providing additional personnel to perform background checks. According to the Whitehouse press release, "Background checks have been shown to keep guns out of the wrong hands, but too many gun sales-particularly online and at gun shows-occur without basic background checks." These are common sense actions that will help protect innocent lives from gun violence without infringing on the American right to bear arms for our own protection.
Second, the new actions are something that should already have been in place. These measures would require licenses for anyone in the business of selling weapons and for them to do background checks on those they sell to. This will help prevent those who shouldn't have weapons from getting them over the internet or at gun shows. Furthermore, people wishing to acquire weapons restricted by the National Firearms Act (machine guns and sawed-off shotguns) would no longer be able to avoid background checks by "applying to acquire these firearms and other items through trusts, corporations, and other legal entities."
Third, if the laws come to pass, more focus and funding will be spent on gun safety technology and mental health awareness. In regards to mental health, additional openness between States regarding the mental well-being of individuals will be encouraged. "Current law prohibits individuals from buying a gun if, because of a mental health issue, they are either a danger to themselves or others or are unable to manage their own affairs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has indicated that it will begin the rulemaking process to ensure that appropriate information in its records is reported to NICS."
So what do the new measures not do?
According to Uproxx, "There's no ban on large-capacity magazines, and people on terrorist "no-fly" lists are not prohibited from buying guns." These measures will not prohibit acquisition of machine guns, assault rifles, pistols, and other weapons. They will enforce current laws more effectively.
One other thing should be mentioned, and that is President Obama's bypass of Congress for these measures. First, Congress has not taken any significant action for gun control in quite some time. Second, Obama may be outside the bounds of his office, but he may not be. There's lots of legal details that only lawyers, politicians, and other unsavory individuals understand. Third, if Obama is out of his bounds, the Supreme Court is there to strike down any unconstitutional actions. If they do not, it is law, and should be followed as such.
I am pro-gun, very much so (I love AR-15's, Sigs, Berettas and Glocks). But I've seen too much bloodshed these last few years to honestly claim that what gun laws we have in place are working. Criminals will always find a way to get guns, but not all of them will if stronger measures are in place to prevent that.
Perhaps that will stop a mass shooting or two. If so, they are worth it. The blood of innocents is not worth the right to purchase arms without oversight.
So what do you think about President Obama's new gun control measures? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!
