Extract from ABC News
By North America correspondent Zoe
Daniel and wires
Updated 3 minutes ago
Photo:
Barack and Michelle Obama are greeted by San Bernardino County Third
District Supervisor James Ramos and Mayor Carey Davis, after last
month's shooting in San Bernardino. (AFP: Brendan Smialowski)
United States President Barack Obama, frustrated
by Congress' inaction on gun control, will meet with Attorney-General
Loretta Lynch on Monday to discuss ways of reducing gun violence
unilaterally through measures that do not require congressional
approval.
Key points:
- Push to expand background checks and report lost or stolen guns
- Mr Obama to meet with Attorney-General to discuss gun control options
- Texas law comes into effect allowing gun owners to carry weapons openly in public
Mr Obama, in his weekly recorded address, said on
Friday he had received "too many letters from parents, and
teachers, and kids, to sit around and do nothing."
"I get letters from responsible gun owners
who grieve with us every time these tragedies happen," he said.
"Who share my belief that the second
amendment guarantees a right to bear arms and who share my belief we
can protect that right while keeping an irresponsible, dangerous few
from inflicting harm on a massive scale.
"Change is going to take all of us. The gun
lobby is loud and well organised in its defence of effortlessly
available guns for anyone.
"The rest of us are going to be have to be
just as passionate in our defence of our kids."
Obama wants you to see this chart
US president Barack Obama has asked media outlets to chart gun deaths versus terrorism deaths in the United States. Here's what that looks like.
The President is expected to expand background
checks for people buying weapons from high-volume gun dealers —
despite the fact guns used in mass shootings have often been legally
obtained.
Other elements of the package may include
requirements for dealers to report lost and stolen guns to the
National Crime Information Centre, ensuring those convicted of
domestic violence cannot buy guns and arresting those who attempt to
buy guns illegally.
Yesterday pro-gun lobby group, the National Rifle
Association's Institute for Legislative Action, released a new year
video attacking gun control plans.
In the ad, an actor playing presidential hopeful
Hillary Clinton writes a list of new years resolutions — to "stop
trying to ban guns, read the constitution and meet an actual gun
owner in person" — before she screws the list up and throws it
into a wastepaper basket.
Mr Obama's plans are likely to trigger further
backlash from both pro-gun activists and the Republican-controlled
Congress.
'What if Congress did something, anything, to protect our kids?'
Mr Obama has repeatedly urged Congress to tighten
gun laws.
"Three years ago, a bipartisan, commonsense
bill would have required background checks for virtually everyone who
buys a gun," he said in the address.
"Keep in mind there is a policy that is
supported by some 90 per cent of the American people.
"It was supported by a majority of NRA
households but the gun lobby mobilised against it and the senate
blocked it.
"Since then tens of thousands of our fellow
Americans have been mowed down by gun violence. Tens of thousands."
The President's calls grew louder following the
2012 massacre at an elementary school in Connecticut, and again after
mass shootings in Colorado Springs and San Bernardino in recent
months.
"A few months ago, I directed my team at the
White House to look into any new actions I can take to help reduce
gun violence," Mr Obama said.
"And on Monday, I'll meet with our
Attorney-General, Loretta Lynch, to discuss our options."
Frustrated by Congress, Mr Obama has vowed to use
"whatever power this office holds" to put in place gun
control measures.
"We know that we can't stop every act of
violence," Mr Obama said.
"But what if we tried to stop even one? What
if Congress did something — anything — to protect our kids from
gun violence?"
'Obama aware Congress unlikely to act on gun reform'
Mr Obama's address came as a Texas law allowing
licensed firearms owners to carry handguns openly in public places
took effect.
How many guns? How many deaths?
As America's never-ending debate on guns rages on, here are the key facts and figures surrounding the controversial issue.
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott echoed its
backers' slogan in a Twitter comment: "Obama wants to impose
more gun control. My response? COME & TAKE IT."
Ted Alcorn, research director for gun control
advocacy group Everytown, said Everytown officials met with Mr Obama
in December to make recommendations for executive action.
Top among them was a regulation to clarify when
gun sellers need a federal firearms license, he said.
Thousands of guns are sold yearly by dealers who
fall between licensed dealers and occasional sellers who do not need
a license.
Clarification could define which sellers need to
meet rules and do background checks, Mr Alcorn said.
On Thursday, White House spokesman Eric Schultz
said Mr Obama was aware Congress was unlikely to act on gun reform.
Reuters
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