Obama's executive order.

[MohRokTah]

I have always advocated enforcing gun laws we currently have.

That's precisely what Obama's executive order does. So anybody who complains about should be shouted down with the words, "I THOUGHT YOU ALWAYS SAID WE SHOULD ENFORCE THE LAWS WE HAVE! THAT"S WHAT OBAMA IS DOING!!!"

[sarisataka]

1. So if the President's order

amounts to "Enforce existing laws" will he just be repeating NRA talking points?

[dumbcat]

6. "The Ranger's not going to like this, Yogi."

That's pretty much what a lot of his points are. Enforce existing law. That's an NRA talking point.

The big thing the media is talking about is the President "expanding" the definition of "dealer" and thus increasing the number of background checks. Well, the definitions are already defined in law. (18 U.S. Code § 921 - Definitions) An Executive action cannot change the law, only affect enforcement. It takes another law to change the definitions.

Most of the other points are just good ideas. He can espouse these.

[sarisataka]

8. From what I have heard

his proposals are all going to be simple, reasonable actions that I have no issues with.

Yet they have been mentioned in the past and summarily dismissed by hard core gun control advocates. It will be interesting to see what reaction, if any, there will be where they come from President Obama.

[MosheFeingold]

9. The purpose

I am a long time veteran of the gun wars in Congress.

Here's the plan -- expand the definition of "dealer" such that private sales become either risky or impossible -- this closes the gun show loophole.

It has an additional advantage, in that facially the law will be unenforceable -- because no one will have a clue when Billy Bob sold Jo Bob a shotgun unless there is a database of who owns what and when.

The next step is thus to create a registry (being that the executive branch has the implicit power to do such acts as are necessary to enforce laws) so who sells to whom can be tracked and the law enforced.

This is a great stepping stone to real gun control and eventual removal of military grade weapons from civilian use.

[dumbcat]

10. It's like nine dimensional chess

I love it!

[MosheFeingold]

13. It's hard stuff

And takes a long time. We tried to do this back in the 70s and 80s and failed miserably.

[hack89]

11. You just succinctly explained why gun owners fight gun control tooth and nail nt

[MosheFeingold]

12. I don't think most have clue

It's pretty subtle and wingnuts are not exceptionally smart. Nor do they have a long attention span.

Something shiny will come along and distract them.

[hack89]

15. Gun control has been getting its ass kicked for two decades by the likes of Ted Nugent

There are good reasons it is a smoking wreck in America, starting with the ineptitude of its leadership.

You underestimate gun owners at your own risk. Lets also not forget that many Democrats are gun owners - Democrats are not wingnuts.

[B2G]

2. If the laws are already on the books,

why is an Executive Order necessary?

[MohRokTah]

3. Laws are not precise.

Thus executive orders are issued to direct how the laws are to be enforced to the agencies enforcing them.

[B2G]

4. The problem with Executive Orders

and circumventing Congress is that EOs can be easily undone by a future president.

[MohRokTah]

5. Which is why Obama has always wanted more precise laws.

And EOs do not circumvent Congress.

[B2G]

7. Yes, they do

And this is new as well.

Doctors can report some mentally ill patients to FBI under new gun control rule

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/obama-gun-control-rule-mental-illness-217340#ixzz3wO73POcx

[Lizzie Poppet]

14. That's the only item I have big reservations about.

I don't mind making people who are gun dealers in all but official name get an FFL. That's only fair to the people who do jump through the hoops and operate a legal business.

But I worry about the mental health provision discouraging people from seeking help. The enormous stigma associated with receiving mental healthcare is already barrier enough. This is a sticky problem, as I also think keeping firearms out of the hands of mentally ill people is an important priority. This is a seriously difficult issue, and I wish I had better answers.

[B2G]

16. Agree completely

You just summed up my thoughts exactly.

I'm all for increased background checks. What concerns me is who gets on the list they are checking against. Can doctors report just anyone they want? Get a presecription for Prosac and your 2nd ammendment rights are taken away? See a counselor for depression after a divorce and you're in the database?

They really need to clarify this.