President Obama Aims to Close Gun Show Loophole, Require More Background Checks on Firearm Sales
President Obama is expected to pass an executive action to require background checks on buyers of firearms at gun shows and other venues, closing a loophole that has long been used to get around federal regulations.
The White House’s ambitious proposal will aim to make criminal background checks mandatory for nearly all purchasers of guns, including those who attempt to buy firearms at gun shows or over the Internet.
Although federal law currently requires gun sellers to run background checks on anyone who wants to purchase a firearm, the so-called “gun show loophole” means that only licensed weapons dealers actually have to follow through with background checks before completing the sale. As a result, many private sellers of guns, as well as any individuals who are not “in the business of” selling firearms, are able to get around federal gun control laws.
Obama’s announcement comes after years of perceived inaction by Congress when it comes to passing gun control laws that will effectively prevent gun crimes. After the tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT in 2012, the U.S. Senate rejected a proposed bill that would have expanded criminal background checks.
Now the White House, under the direction of President Obama and with the full support of Attorney General Loretta Lynch, is trying to attempt to circumvent Congress and clarify the definition of “gun dealers” under existing law. With additional individuals now falling into the category of “gun dealer,” current federal laws requiring criminal background checks should apply to many more sellers of firearms in the future.
A White House senior advisor recently declared that the executive action will ensure that would-be gun owners looking to make purchases online will no longer be able to “shop for guns with [a] mouse” without being subject to a background check. At this time, however, officials are unsure of exactly how many firearms sellers, private or otherwise, will be affected by the executive action.
Beyond clarifying current regulations, Obama has called on the FBI to hire more than 200 additional employees to handle the additional background checks that will now be required.
For further information about President Obama’s call for tighter gun control laws, read the Yahoo.com article, “White House Will Require Background Checks at Gun Shows and Online.”
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