President Obama Strengthens Gun Law Through Executive Privilege

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) – President Obama, as expected, has announced a new requirement expanding background checks for gun buyers.
The measure mandates that individuals "in the business of selling firearms" register as licensed gun dealers.
That would effectively narrow the so-called "gun show loophole".

Using executive privilege, which infuriated republicans, President Obama moved to expand gun laws. The measure mandates that individuals "in the business of selling firearms" register as licensed gun dealers, effectively narrowing the so-called "gun show loophole," which exempts most small sellers from keeping formal sales records.

OBAMA—"We’re going to do everything we can to insure the smart and effective enforcement of gun safety laws that are already on the books."

Obama defended his actions to strengthen background checks for purchasing guns, countering critics who say the measure would not make it harder for criminals to obtain firearms. The rule is aimed at gun shows.

JOHN MARTIN, SHOOTER’S DEPOT "He’s also wanting to do what they call "close the loophole" in gun shows. And the only loophole that gun shows have had is the federal goverment has not enforced the law."

Gun store owner John Martin says the law already states you have to buy the gun in the state where you live.

But there are many unanswered questions about the use of executive privilege.
Many presidents, including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have used it through control of the federal bureaucracy.

BENJAMIN MCGOWAN, ATTORNEY, SUMMERS, RUFOLO & ROGERS "The president has a tremendous amount of power to dictate how those respective agencies interpret and enforce the law..and so these executive orders are tremendously powerful instruments."

The new rule requires a background check that includes psychological issues.

DON. HANSON, CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER "I think what they’re trying to do is get the states to be able to share across state lines that this person that was in a state hospital in our state …is prohibited nationally from owning a gun."

Don Hanson says also would apply to those convicted of domestic abuse and violence.

The president and the people we spoke with agree–the main effect of Obama’s action is to enforce laws that are already on the books.