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Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 | 2 a.m.
It should surprise no one that National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre has vowed to fight President Barack Obama’s effort to require background checks on almost all would-be gun purchasers. Never mind that Americans overwhelmingly support that common-sense measure. Or that an estimated 25 to 35 percent of gun purchases currently go forward without such a check. Or that requiring nearly universal background checks could help keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, felons and the mentally ill. Hysteria and absolutism are, after all, LaPierre’s trademark tools for rallying his troops. That will be a much-watched public fight. But ...
Scot Lehigh writes for the Boston Globe.
The gun lobby owns both Republicans and Democrats, including Harry Reid in the Senate. Reid won't bring the President's gun reforms to the Senate for a vote. He's said so. He doesn't want to risk the reelections of 20 Democrats in 2014, 5 of whom are NRA supporters with A ratings from the NRA. The best the President can expect is a middle of the road solution that respects the Second Admendment and keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous people like criminals and mentally ill. If The President is intent on a Federal assault weapons ban, he may want to use his Executive Order action to extend the ban that expired in 2004. Then, let the courts decide if he's overreached his authority. At least while the courts are hearing the case, the assault weapons ban will be in effect pending a legal decision on its Constitutional merits.
CarmineD
Hysteria, lies, deception, diversion, and the official politburo are, after all, Obama's trademark tools for rallying his troops. It's not about background checks and gun violence, it's about disarming Americans whether you want to believe it or not. Do your job and enforce the laws we already have and quit showboating, it's becoming annoying.