Posted on 03/14/2011 1:58:30 PM PDT by TheBigJ
Sam Stein Sam Stein HuffPost Reporting stein@huffingtonpost.com GET UPDATES FROM Sam Like 983 Obama Administration To Hold Gun Policy Meetings With Goal Of Policy Changes Obama
First Posted: 03/14/11 02:08 PM Updated: 03/14/11 02:08 PM Important Funny Typical Scary Outrageous Amazing Innovative Finally Read More: Arizona Shooting, Barack Obama, Gabrielle Giffords, Gabrielle Giffords Shooting, Gun Control, Obama Arizona Shooting, Obama Gun Debate, Obama Gun Policy, Obama Guns, Obama Tucson, Politics, Politics News, US News, Politics News share this story 112 90 10 1,711 Get Politics Alerts Sign Up Submit this story digg reddit stumble
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration has conducted informal discussions with groups from both ends of the gun-policy spectrum, including law enforcement and gun-rights organizations, and is set to hold formal meetings as early as this week in an effort to chart out a set of new firearms policies, administration officials say.
Spearheaded by the Department of Justice, the talks were described by one individual involved in the discussions as a “feeling-out process.” With more official meetings set to begin shortly, they provide the clearest indication to date that the White House is readying a response to the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and 19 others at Tucson in early January.
“As the president said, we should focus on sound, effective steps that will keep guns out of the hands of the criminals, fugitives, people with serious mental illness, and others who have no business possessing a gun and who are prohibited by laws on the books from owning a gun,” Justice Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. “We will be meeting with stakeholders on all sides of the issue to discuss how we can find sensible, intelligent ways to make the country safer.”
The goal is to finalize a set of policy changes, including, perhaps, legislation that could pass through a Congress hostile to abridgments of Second Amendment rights. The last serious bite at the apple occurred following the shootings at Virginia Tech in April 2007.
In a Sunday op-ed for the Arizona Daily Star, President Barack Obama called for a three-pronged approach: enforcing the laws already on the books, including the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; pushing for greater state-to-state coordination; and expediting background checks and the release of relevant data.
“It was a promising sign that the president understands that 86 percent of the public, including around 80 percent of gun owners, think that a simple background check for every purchase includes next to zero burden for law-abiding citizens and can save countless live,” said Mark Glaze, the executive director of the coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG).
The contours laid out in the op-ed are similar to the plan currently being pushed by MAIG and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Schumer, who has also been in touch with DOJ officials, held a press conference with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg several weeks ago announcing plans to beef up the national background-check system, including eliminating a loophole that allows individuals to buy firearms at gun shows without submitting to a background check.
Though official talks have not yet begun, the Obama administration is expected to aim mostly at such low-hanging fruit, leaving issues like the legality of the high-capacity magazine -- which allows even pistols to fire more than 30 shots without reloading, and was used in the Tucson shootings in January -- to remain unaddressed for the time being. The principal debate, then, will likely center around the application of background-check standards to private dealers.
“They have been meeting with us and also with law enforcement groups and industry,” one gun-control advocate said of the administration. “This is what the White House does when they want to put a serious legislative apparatus together ... The game now becomes effectively demonstrating, in a way that is meaningful, what we know is the overwhelming support for universal background checks.”
Last week received a panic call from the NRA. First a lady operator to see if I’m home, than I was played a recorded message from Wayne LaPierre. Then a guy from sales came on the line: “Sir, do you believe the government is responsible for your safety and security?”
“No.”
“Good either do we...” Then went on to talk about Andrew Traver, up for possible confirmation hearings as head of ATF...”Sir, do you know about Andrew Traver’s record?”
“Yeah I know Traver and where he lives (Naperville, IL).”
Slight pause, then operator resumes with attorney general Holder the bigot with legislation on blacklisting “terrorists” from every owning a firearm.
Stated I’ve no money for the NRA, they make compromises where there shouldn’t be any. Plus spent five grand on munitions pre-2008 onwards so no money to give :^)~
If the Kenyan klown gets in 2012, conflict inevitable at that point. Funds will be spent accordingly.
I’ve no doubt gun ownership will be ruled unconstitutional eventually. The Supreme Court barely passed the McDonald v. Chicago decision which should have been cut and dry for freedom.
Yes, also submitted in court. Smith bribed an employee at Coast Provincial General Hospital. I believe an official there was fired as a result?
No court, press, government entity will touch this.
Recently, it took me seven days to get approval and I live in the state of Texas. It felt to me like these laws were already on the books and we are being more heavily scrutinized. Jmho
If they get registration the excuses to confiscate guns will be easy to manufacture.
Never believe for an instant that these people are dealing in good faith!
Gun and ammo sales have been at record levels for several years now, one of the few economic areas of strength ...
Any hint that 0 is “starting talks” should send sales through the roof, providing more economic stimulation than any other policy from this (mis)Administration.
Yes, the supposed ‘cartel’ that Project Gunwalker was looking to ‘build a big case against’ was the American firearms industry.
expected to aim mostly at such low-hanging fruit, leaving issues like the legality of the high-capacity magazine
more incrimental 'compromise'...sorry, but im all compromised out commies...
When things get tough for the O-Man, he goes to play a round of golf or heads off on vacation...learn from that.
There are two sides to this issue: the Constitution and everyone else.
Well them Mr. Glaze, you certainly shouldn’t object to passing a simple background check to enjoy other rights enumerated in the Bill of Rights either; say for instance freedom of speech?
“........“It was a promising sign that the president understands that 86 percent of the public, including around 80 percent of gun owners, think that a simple background check......” BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH........
Stupid statement. As though Obama really cares, and really is trying to work something out FOR the people, rather than do something TO the people.
He’s a Commie, and we can’t lose sight of that.
/rampant sarcasm (as if it's needed)
BOHICA
No, pretty much EVERYTHING this admin says its GOING to do should already have that tag applied, as they will usually do the opposite... and in the most un-constitutional way they can find.
Anti-gunners never rest, they're always filing gun control legislation. They cannot be reasoned with, as shown by endless statistical studies supporting gun ownership. They have no mercy for anyone wanting to protect himself and his family from criminals, because if you can protect yourself from unorganized criminals, you can also protect yourself from their jackbooted thugs. They learn from history. Seeing that every mass genocide of particular groups of citizens was proceeded by gun control, rest assured that there are plenty of 0 supporters that would like to see a final solution for the gun owner problem. They realize that this will be difficult until we're disarmed bit by bit.
This can only end one of three ways
They have no mercy for anyone wanting to protect himself and his family from criminals, because if you can protect yourself from unorganized criminals, you can also protect yourself from their jackbooted thugs.
That thought is worth repeating – everywhere.
Everyone else has instituted unconstitutional anti-gun legislation and regulation, so why not the usurper-in-chief?
ALL gun regulation is unconstitutional.
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
I hear a lot of people saying things like, "gun control is OK in [insert pet circumstance here]."
There is absolutely no reason to disarm citizens except to take power out of the hands of the people in order oppress them.
I agree 100%
I hear a lot of people saying things like, "gun control is OK in [insert pet circumstance here]."
Sadly, even on this forum at times.
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