“It’s not where you do it, it’s what you do.”
With those words aimed at gun sellers, President Obama announced yesterday morning new executive actions targeted at background-check reporting for gun sales on the Internet and in gun shows.
He also spoke directly to critics who “try to twist my words around.” “I get it,” he said, “but I also believe we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment.”
The president became emotional when speaking of over a dozen mass shootings during his 7 years in office, in particular the shootings of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
“The gun lobby is loud and it is organized in defense of making it effortless for guns to be available for anybody, anytime,” said Mr. Obama. “Well, you know what? The rest of us, we all have to be just as passionate. We have to be just as organized in the defense of our kids.”
Tomorrow night, President Obama will appear on CNN television for a one-hour live town hall on the subject of gun control. The program begins at 8pm ET. It is titled “Guns in America.”
The gun issue will no doubt also be raised in the president’s upcoming final State of the Union address on January 12, and during the Democratic and Republican Debates to be held the last weeks of January.
Actual voters have their turn to speak starting in February when the 2016 Caucus and Primary season begins.
Source of the president's speech: Washington Post
For a compelling history of the 2008 campaign, as told by news media, politicians, and ordinary people, see King's Dream: Barack Obama Becomes President of the United States of America.
