Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

White House rolls out new gun control measures

  • Politics
  • by Ana Radelat
  • January 4, 2016
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Washington – Connecticut lawmakers will help President Obama roll out new gun control initiatives that will broaden FBI background checks of gun buyers and anger Republican members of Congress who say the president has overstepped his authority.

“He’s going to need support from his allies on Capitol Hill,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, who attended a White House briefing on the president’s plans Monday afternoon.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D- 5th District, were among more than a dozen Democrats invited to the briefing.

Obama will use his executive authority to broaden FBI background checks of potential gun buyers to include sales at gun shows and by individuals over the Internet, which are now excluded, said White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett during a call with reporters late Monday.

Related links
Guns in Connecticut

Attempts to restrict gun ownership has historically lead to a spike in fire arm purchases.

Mass shootings, legislation often spur gun purchasesGun background checks by type in ConnecticutWhere firearms seized by Connecticut police came fromFirearms recovered and traced in Connecticut double

But the president will not fully close what’s been called the “gun-show loophole.”

Current federal law requires those “engaged in the business” of dealing firearms to obtain a federal license that requires them to conduct background checks of their customers. But the law exempts anyone “who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collection or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal collection of firearms.”

The White House said those people will continue to be exempted. But it will provide guidance to others who sell guns on a regular basis for profit that they need to conduct background checks.

“Just because you shop for a gun with your mouse and not your feet doesn’t mean you should be exempt from a background check,” Jarrett said.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will stop short of  setting any numerical threshold of gun sales that would require a federal license. While the numbers are relevant, the ATF will consider all the “facts and circumstances” of the gun sellers.

Esty said Obama’s action is a “necessary, responsible next step to update an exceptionally vague definition in the current background check system that some bad actors exploit in order to sell a high volume of guns without ever conducting a background check.”

“It’s not as much I’d like to see. It’s not as much as the president says he would like to see, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Esty said.

Murphy said he’s aware Obama has taken a lot of heat from opponents for using his executive authority to change immigration laws and on other issues.

“But this simply clarifies an existing bad statute,” Murphy said.

Murphy also said Obama understands the pain and agony caused by gun violence.

“And like almost everyone I talk to in Connecticut, he cannot believe that Congress has done absolutely nothing to save the lives of the people they represent. He gets it, and he knows it’s time to act,” he said.

Unable to sway Congress to tighten the background-check process, Murphy and Blumenthal, joined by 22 Democratic colleagues, in November asked Obama in a letter to use his executive authority to broaden background checks.

Obama had already started looking into doing that. Prompted by the Oct. 1 mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., the president ordered the Justice Department to look for ways he might impose tougher restrictions by executive authority.

Jarrett said the Justice Department made a series of recommendations besides expanding background checks that the president will adopt.

Obama plans to begin to roll out his initiatives in an address from the East Room of the White House Tuesday morning. Gov. Dannel Malloy plans to attend the event.

Jarrett said one initiative would press states to better report to the FBI background check database those who are barred from purchasing guns – which includes felons and those committed to a mental institution through a court order.

The Obama administration will also hire 230 additional background check examiners to speed the background check process. Under current law, a gun sale can go through if the FBI has not responded within 72 hours.

Obama will also bar sales through trusts and corporations aimed at hiding the identity of a gun buyer. More than 90,000 guns were sold that way in 2014, Jarrett said.

In addition, the Obama administration will propose a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care and ask the Department of Homeland Security to conduct research into technology that would make guns safer.

Breakthrough steps

Obama issued 23 executive orders involving gun safety after the December 2014 shooting of 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School. They ranged from re-establishing federal research into the causes of gun violence to banning nearly all the re-imports of military surplus firearms to private entities

Blumenthal said the latest actions will have more impact.

“These measures are really pretty monumental and will provide momentum,” Blumenthal said. “They are critical, breakthrough steps.”

On Monday, Obama met with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other federal officials to discuss the initiatives.

“The good news is that these are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch, but they’re also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support and believe,” Obama said.

The president also said, “I’m confident that the recommendations that are being made by my team here are ones that are entirely consistent with the Second Amendment and people’s lawful right to bear arms.”

The National Rifle Association, however, said there is no need to tinker with existing gun laws. Nor does the president have the authority to do so, the NRA said.

“People who repeatedly sell large volumes of firearms for livelihood or profit are covered by the current law because they are already defined as ‘engaged in the business.’ Federal law is clear,” NRA spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen said. “President Obama cannot willy-nilly change the law without Congress.”

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is a Republican candidate for the White House, called Obama “a petulant child” who sidesteps Congress “whenever he can’t get what he wants,” during an interview on Fox News on Sunday.

“This is going to be another illegal executive action, which I’m sure will be rejected by the courts, and when I become president will be stricken from executive action,” Christie said.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, also a GOP contender for the White House, called the president’s plans “completely inappropriate.” Several congressional Republicans said on Monday that the Obama administration should work harder to enforce existing gun laws instead of putting new ones on the books.

While Obama is committed to using his authority to tighten federal gun laws, he said congressional action on gun safety measures is needed, including a law that would add those on federal “no fly lists” of terrorist suspects to the FBI background check database.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ana Radelat Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
With billions in federal relief on the way to CT, legislators assert their role in deciding how to spend it
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas

With an unusual bill, state legislators are reminding Gov. Ned Lamont they have significant role in disbursing federal coronavirus relief.

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wins vacant Senate seat
by Mark Pazniokas

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, won a special election to the state Senate.

Final passage of ‘Crown Act’ comes on unanimous vote
by Mark Pazniokas

With a unanimous vote, Connecticut became the latest state to adopt legislation prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race.

Senate confirms Miguel Cardona as U.S. Secretary of Education
by Adria Watson

Cardona was the youngest principal in the state of Connecticut.

Nora Dannehy named top legal aide to Lamont
by Mark Pazniokas

The hiring of Nora Dannehy brings a high-profile legal talent into Lamont's office at the mid-point of his four-year term.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The public health bill no one is talking about, but should be
by Brian Festa

On February 16,  the legislature's Public Health Committee conducted a public hearing on two bills, S.B. 568 and H.B. 6423, both of which would eliminate the religious exemption to mandatory vaccinations for Connecticut schoolchildren.  The hearing was capped at 24 hours, depriving nearly 1,500 members of the public who had registered for the hearing their opportunity to be heard.  The vast majority of those who did testify, and who submitted written testimony, opposed the bill.  The committee is expected to vote on the bill as early as  today. 

Opinion Students need more resources, fewer officers
by Tenille Bonilla

"School resource officer" is just a nice way to say cop. But what students really need is more resource and less officer.

Opinion The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

Opinion How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO