Many statutes are written with language which delegates certain authority to particular executive officials, for example the NFA'34 regards as destructive devices various things including firearms with a bore diameter over 0.5" which the Secretary of the Treasury does not deem suitable for hunting or sporting purposes. The President's authority over executive officials gives pretty strong power to direct what "findings" they should make. The reclassification of the Street Sweeper as a destructive device was a consequence of such authority; his Secretary of the Treasury found that such weapons weren't suitable for hunting or sporting purposes (not an unreasonable finding actually, such weapons are far more suitable for groups of attackers that they have urgent business elsewhere), and the pre-existing statute language meant that such weapons were thus "destructive devices". While it's impossible to tell what would happen Obama gave an executive order that directed officials to do things that were patently outside their authority, I doubt many officials would be eager to risk their lives in an effort to uphold such an order. At minimum, I'd expect them to come up with some pretext about bureaucratic requirements.
“While it’s impossible to tell what would happen Obama gave an executive order that directed officials to do things that were patently outside their authority, I doubt many officials would be eager to risk their lives in an effort to uphold such an order. At minimum, I’d expect them to come up with some pretext about bureaucratic requirements.”
Hmm, I think they would do whatever he directed them to do because not to would “risk their lives”. I think they would fear him more than fear someone/thing else. He won’t stand for someone to object.