WH: Renewing assault weapons ban "a commitment" of Obama's

[morningfog]

After news broke about the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, White House spokesman Jay Carney said that renewing the federal assault weapons ban "does remain a commitment of" the president's. However, he continued, "What I said is that today is not the day to, I believe, as a father a day to engage in the usual Washington policy debates. I think that that day will come, but today is not that day."

Carney said that Mr. Obama was first notified of the shooting at 10:30 a.m. by Homeland Security Adviser John Brennan. The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School this morning left 27 people dead, including at least 18 children ages five to 10 years old.

The president called Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy, the governor's office said today, to express his condolences and pledge whatever resources the federal government can bring to bear to assist the families and the investigation. According to the White House, the president also spoke with FBI Director Robert Mueller about the incident, and the FBI providing support to state and local police.

Carney told reporters around noon that "it's certainly possible, if not likely, that the president will have something to say," in a written statement or otherwise.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57559281/obama-briefed-on-connecticut-shooting-statement-at-3-15-p.m/

[forestpath]

1. When WILL the day come? What WILL it take?

[justanidea]

2. Saying he'll renew the Assault Weapons Ban is a cop out.

Anyone who understands it knows it did nothing. Columbine happened during the ban and the shooters used assault weapons.

Instead he should be pushing for closing the gun show loophole, increased prison time for illegal sales and possession, increased fines for states that dont submit mental health records in a timely manner as well as improving the mental health system in general.

The AWB did nothing. A CDC study showed it had zero effect on crime. It was a worthless law then and it would be worthless now.

Working towards universal background checks is a much more worthwhile goal.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Not clear that the Feds can mandate background checks on private transactions within a state

Maybe through the commerce clause, but that would be a stretch.

Feds already have stronger gun crime laws than many states and some jurisdictions refer cases to the Feds already.

The mental health support in this country is in shambles. It has nothing to do with guns directly, but it is in dire need of fixing.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. The original one was clearly ineffective

and its not clear he could get an effective one written let alone passed.

[Logical]

5. And todays shooter might have only used handguns anyway!

[and-justice-for-all]

6. Any gun can be an 'assault' weapon...

so what does he mean by 'assault weapon' exactly??