Does Obama really plan to ease weapons export rules?

Gun Rights Examiner ^ | 4 May, 2012 | David Codrea

[marktwain]

“The Obama administration is crafting a proposal that could make it easier to export firearms and other weapons to certain countries in an effort to boost sales for U.S. companies, increase trade and improve national security, according to senior government officials,” Sari Horwitz of The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

“The plan, which is part of President Obama’s overhaul of U.S. export rules, is being debated by several agencies and it could be months before a final rule is proposed, according to officials,” Horwitz writes, adding “At least two federal agencies — the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department — have expressed concerns that the changes in the export rules could make it easier for drug cartels and terrorists to obtain weapons and make it harder to stop firearms trafficking.”

Those are key caveats by players who should know. What we can take from them is that in those development months, and in the comment period that would follow, concerns about Obama’s anti-gun record could be defused with phony “pro-gun” spin that would cost him nothing in terms of actual policy change. Attempts to soothe gun owner fears are already being promulgated by media allies, who point to Obama allowing guns in national parks, disregarding that his administration first tried to let the issue die on the legal vine and only signed on because it was a rider to a credit card bill they wanted. Also, we are told, Obama ended the gun ban on Amtrak—similarly, this was part of a larger funding bill, did not allow for permit holders to carry them, and humorously (?), was initially worded in a way that required gun owners to be locked up in boxes for the duration of the trip!

[marktwain]

Leftists think that corporations control the government and public opinion, not the other way around. Thus, appearing to loosen rules for corporations would result in significant support for the administration.

Leftists basic assumptions about reality are wrong.

[DuncanWaring]

He’s already eased weapon export rules to Mexico.

[Erik Latranyi]

Election-year propoganda to get votes.

[wita]

If Mr Obama was sincere about this, all he would have to do is make things easier for the law abiding American people and sales would skyrocket.

Work for the elimination of gun laws of 1934, 1967, and 1986. He won’t and thus he isn’t. What else didn’t we know about dear leader?

[Deaf Smith]

"and humorously (?), was initially worded in a way that required gun owners to be locked up in boxes for the duration of the trip!"

There is only The Letter Of The Law.
There is no such legal meaning with 'Intent or Spirit' of the law.

[Hulka]

He will have problems with the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA). . .both are laws passed by congress.

When to comes to arms export, the president is severely limited in what he can do.

With very few and very small exceptions, can’t export arms unless they are in accordance with AECA and FAA, and with the approval of congress.

[Zhang Fei]

He’s already eased weapon export rules to Mexico.

ROTFLMAO...

[Clinging Bitterly]

When to comes to arms export, the president is severely limited in what he can do.

Not this one, it would seem.