Congress must "act soon" on guns, Obama says

President Obama redoubled his push to reduce gun violence in his weekly address today, pressuring Congress to "act soon" on a series of "concrete steps we should take to protect our children."

"My administration is taking a series of actions right away," Mr. Obama said, briefly describing several of the 23 executive orders he signed on Wednesday, "But the truth is, making a real and lasting difference also requires Congress to act - and act soon."

"First, it's time for Congress to require a universal background check for anyone trying to buy a gun," Mr. Obama said, noting that "As many as 40 percent of all gun purchases are conducted without one."

"That's not safe, it's not smart, and it's not fair to responsible guy buyers or sellers," the president said.

He also called for a renewal of the ban on military-style assault weapons, and a 10-round limit on the size of ammunition magazines. "These weapons have no place in our communities," Mr. Obama said, "And a majority of the American people agree with me."

Finally, Mr. Obama said, beyond additional gun control, we need to examine enforcement of gun laws, and "make it easier, rather than harder, for law enforcement to do its job." He suggested instituting tougher penalties for illegal gun trafficking and hiring additional police officers to keep communities safer.

"Like most Americans, I believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms," Mr. Obama said. "But I also believe most gun owners agree that we can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible, law-breaking few from causing harm on a massive scale."

And "none of this will be easy," the president promised, singling out opponents who have called his gun violence agenda "an all-out assault on liberty."

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"But this time, it can't be up to them. It's got to be up to you," Mr. Obama said. "Ask your member of Congress...why an A-grade from the gun lobby is more important than keeping kids safe in a first grade classroom."

"Let's get this done," he said, "and let's make this country a safer place for all our children to learn and grow."

[logictoo]

Lots of talk about assault weapons. Folks that holler the loudest know the least. Can a Liberal anti-gun nut answer: What is the difference in a assault weapon and a tactical weapon?

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

AMERICA must knee jerk.

Like we did on Iraq and the War on Drugs.

Because Knee Jerk reactions always work out so well.

[clydealan2]

If you crazy NRAs had any balls you would admit the poliferation of guns is the reason our death rates are far, far greater then those countries who have common sense gun laws. If you had any brains to replace your insane paranoia you would understand nobody wants your guns. If you had any decency you would support our president. If you had any morals you would help stop the slaughter. Most gun owners are decent, responsible citizens. You paranoid crazies are not.

[chevyhotrod]

Most NRA gun owners are decent, responsible citizens.

The poliferation of guns will continue even with the most strongest gun controls laws in the world.

Common sense tells us that responsible gun owners are not criminals and the criminals do not care about any gun law you think are necessary.

Any decent person would not use the death of children to push their political agenda.

[clydealan2]

A lot of fringe posts here. I am a Vietnam vet who knows full well the security of having a weapon for safety and security. I am also a father who knows the insane anguish of losing my oldest daughter to a senseless act involving a revolver. We are freeking insane if we do not institute some common sense gun legislation. You Obama haters can scream all you want. It is obvious your blind hate is just that: blind.

[vista8635]

Gun Toting Teabaggers...

[hypnotoad72]

Just call them TP party. They put up big signs reading "get government out of healthcare" but then whine when they see their medicare checks get smaller. (Well duh, medicare is a government program...)

So, cleanthecesspool, that's why they don't get respect. Their ignorance is astounding, and it transcends the one issue I just adumbrated. They invited their own ridiculing with their own placards.

Besides, the second amendment reads "Well-regulated" from the get-go. None of us needs a semi-automatic. Nobody is going to come knocking on the door, from any entity - domestic or foreign. The paranoia I've observed from the TP people is pretty wacked as well...

[Mortpes]

There is no urgency as far as guns are concerned. Look at the problems in New York when they rushed laws through Congress. Look at the Patriot Act and Fourth Admendment when that was rushed through Congess,many voters did not even have a chance to read the laws they were required to vote upon. We need to refocus on school safety, either teacher armed carry or other to maintain on site immediate response and we need to focus on school building upgrades in reference to safety. I do not see anything that relates to these issues in what is now before Congress.

[artjoephilly]

Seriously, Obama is like a man very deeply in debt because he spends most of HIS money on weapons, trying to convince the neighbors to hand over their guns to him in order to keep the neighborhood safe.

[RAS08]

Act soom before the public has time to realize what I'm doing. Just like Obama care.

[hypnotoad72]

You mean "Romneycare". Obama went straight to Romney's aides to craft his state-wide vision of reform for the entire country.

[mav547166]

It does not matter at this point because the President has already put more ordinance on the street in the last 30 days than anyone in history. You can barely find a bullet, and dang sure cant find a single high capacity magazine of the hundreds of millions out there. These things do not have a shelf life, and there is enough ammo out there to last for a good hundred years. Dont think so? Check out some of the stuff found in Afghanistan and Iraq still killing US Soldiers from the last British venture.

[skeezix06]

I'm not an Obama fan. I don't particularly care for him and I didn't vote for him. That said, Obama didn't put the ordinance out there. Frightened out of their minds NRA followers did that. That's not something that can be accurately blamed on Obama.

[TimeToRetire]

Obama is single-handedly responsible for the milions of guns and ammunition sold in the last month. I was at Walmart his morning. The ammo shelves were completely empty. There might have been half a dozen boxes left. I jokingly asked the clerk if they were going out of business. He said they have not been able to keep up with demand.

[peter_out]

Lanza's mother acquired her guns legally and in Connecticut, a State with strict gun control laws. She was hardly a ghetto thug or under-privileged person, receiving nearly $290,000 a year in alimony and child support from her divorce.

I know all this new gun agenda has been evoked by the Sandy Hook elementary school shootings, but none of the proposals signed into law by executive order this week apply to the circumstances of Sandy Hook.

Mrs. Lanza's child was a quiet type, and coddled by his mother. He reportedly enjoyed any video game of his choosing. Surely Mrs. Lanza cared deeply about Lanza, wished happiness for him, and nurtured him with all of her heart.

Will the President's proposed universal background check serve to identify children like Lanza?