By Emma Cummins
Editorial Page Editor
This Tuesday, President Barack Obama announced to the country that he would be implementing a series of measures that would combat gun violence.
In a short list here is the gist of what he said:
- Background checks will be expanded and much tighter. Two hundred-thirty new examiners will be hired by the FBI to do these checks.
- Invest $500 million to increase access to mental health care and include searches for pasts of mental illnesses when a person is trying to buy a gun.
- Increase development and sponsor gun safety technology.
- Sellers and distributors of firearms must have background checks.
- Support existing gun laws and enforce them strictly.
Is there something odd about this list? Maybe that is has almost nothing new to add to the table. Obama put on quite the show, with tears and all. But for what, proponents of genuine control, we may never know. But, those who have at least a semblance of understanding about politics know that these was clearly a ploy to increase popularity for Obama, now that his term is ending.
All of these measures are commendable, in fact, most Republicans would not have problems with these measures. Investing in mental health care is always a positive, but why did Obama need to call a conference just to announce a couple of executive measures that are completely obvious responses to the gun violence in the country?
It seems unnecessary to call a press conference just to hail your support of enforcing pre-existing laws and expanding background checks. But, it if pleases the democrat block, good work.
