Following each mass shooting, whether it be Sandy Hook or the more recent San Bernardino attack, Obama has addressed the nation, voicing his sympathy for the family and calling for a change in gun control laws in the United States. This Tuesday, Obama announced his plan to reduce gun violence in America while preserving second amendment rights.
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“I believe in the Second Amendment. It’s there written on the paper. It guarantees a right to bear arms,” said Obama during his speech. “But I also believe that we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”
Obama was introduced by Mark Barden, the father of Daniel, a seven year old who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
From there, Obama spoke of his distaste for past handling of the gun restriction laws, particularly of a failed 2013 bill that would have closed holes in background checks when it came to buying firearms.
He also mentioned that many Congressmen and gun owners support gun restrictions, particularly when it comes to online and gun show sales, where it is not necessary to get a background check.
“A majority of gun owners agree that we can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible, law-breaking feud from inflicting harm on a massive scale,” Obama said, going into his plan on gun regulation. “We know we can’t stop every act of violence, every act of evil in the world. But maybe we could try to stop one act of evil, one act of violence.”
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Along with introducing the idea of mandatory background checks online and in gun shows, Obama also said he will be taking action to further help the mentally ill through initiatives helping diagnoses and offering treatment.
He also proposed improving gun technology to make them children proof.
Already, Obama has received criticism from the Republican party, with Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, reprimanding the president on his proposed policies, claiming that he is going after citizens rather than criminals, his speech amounting “to a form of intimidation that undermines liberty.”
WATCH – President Obama: "How did this become such a partisan issue?" #StopGunViolence #2Ahttps://t.co/9H0IfgQcei
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 5, 2016
Still, Obama called on American citizens to call for change from Congress.
“All of us need to stand up and protect its citizens. All of us need to demand governors and legislatures and businesses do their part to make our communities safer,” said Obama. “And we need voters who want safer gun laws, and who are disappointed in leaders who stand in their way, to remember come election time.”
