Teary-Eyed Obama Unveils Stricter Gun Control Plan
President Barack Obama unveiled his plan Tuesday to use executive action to tighten gun control, at some points wiping back tears as he referenced the children of the Sandy Hook massacre.
Obama shared how he believes it is possible to uphold the Second Amendment while also attempting to lower the frequency of mass shootings across the country.
"This is not a plot to take away everybody's guns," Obama said. "You pass a background check, you purchase a firearm. The problem is some gun sellers have been operating under a different set of rules."
At the centerpiece of Obama's plan is a more sweeping definition of gun dealers that the administration hopes will expand the number of sales subject to background checks.
The White House also put gun sellers on notice that the administration planned to strengthen enforcement, including deploying 230 new examiners the FBI will hire to process background checks.
Currently, only federally licensed gun dealers must conduct background checks on buyers in accordance with the law. But sellers skirt that requirement at gun shows, websites and flea markets, by declining to register as licensed dealers.
The Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will update their guidelines to deem anyone "in the business" of selling guns to be a dealer, regardless of where he or she sells the guns.
The government will also consider other factors, including how many guns a person sells, how frequently, and whether those guns are sold for a profit.
Obama accused the gun lobby of taking Congress hostage, but said "they cannot hold America hostage."
The president at one point became emotional, wiping a tear from his cheek as he spoke about the Sandy Hook Elementary School schooting.
"Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad," Obama said.
Obama defended the new measures, arguing it would be worth it if a single gun death was prevented.
"We maybe can't save everybody, but we could save some," he said.
