PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES 23 NEW EXECUTIVE ACTIONS!

[RomneyLies]

Right wing heads are exploding as I type.

Just called for Congress to require background checks on ALL gun purchases!

More as updates come in!

And here are the 23 Executive Actions:

1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.

2. Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system.

3. Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.

4. Direct the Attorney General to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.

5. Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.

6. Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.

7. Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.

8. Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

9. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.

10. Release a DOJ report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement.

11. Nominate an ATF director.

12. Provide law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.

13. Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.

14. Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.

15. Direct the Attorney General to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies.

16. Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.

17. Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.

18. Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.

19. Develop model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.

20. Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.

21. Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within ACA exchanges.

22. Commit to finalizing mental health parity regulations.

23. Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health.

[RomneyLies]

1. Calls for Congress to ban assault weapons

and a ten round max for magazines.

[Maraya1969]

138. Did he do that or are you just saying that?

[RomneyLies]

139. HE made the call

Wants congress to renew assault weapons ban.

[Ter]

154. Not gonna happen

n/t

[RomneyLies]

155. Probably, but that does not detract from the fact the he called for it. n/t

[calimary]

158. Here's how you can call Congress, TOLL FREE!

It's in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022203784

I checked all the old numbers. These are the ones that still work. And there are a few more. Toll Free!!!

[MotherPetrie]

2. K&R

[RomneyLies]

3. INVOKES RONALD REAGAN'S SUPPORT FOR ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN! n/t

[Shankapotomus]

31. I kept wishing the prez would also mention

that Reagan was himself a victim of gun violence with the best security anyone could have.

[Turbineguy]

79. Yeah

that was below the belt. Is he still the Saint of the wingnuts?

[freshwest]

113. Yee-haw!

[SomeGuyInEagan]

118. "Why I'm for the Brady Bill" by Ronald Reagan (required reading, IMO)

http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/29/opinion/why-i-m-for-the-brady-bill.html

[bobclark86]

130. The Brady Bill was a good piece of legislation...

When the Jesus of "Trickle-down" likes it, you know it's bipartisan in support .

I think the NICS check was a great addition later on, too. But just like the waiting period, NICS is flawed when states don't report all their records. That's why the EO to "Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system" is so damn vital. That should have been done DECADES ago.

[calimary]

157. I LOVE that - "Jesus of 'Trickle-down'" phrase of yours!

Well done, bobclark86!!!

[RomneyLies]

4. GOING AFTER STRAW PURCHASES!!! N/T

[glinda]

35. Does this cover rural auctions where they sell tons of firearms????

[RomneyLies]

65. The proposal is to require ALL gun purchases, regardless, to have a background check

So yes, it would cover that. Failure to do so would make you a criminal.

Best proposal in the entire thing.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

82. That doesn't address straw purchases....

The "straw man" buyer is a guy who CAN pass a background check, then passes the gun along to a person who can't.

I hope this is addressed somewhere, but I don't see it on the list in the OP.

[RomneyLies]

89. Part of the proposal to Congress.

Straw purchases were addressed in what he called on Congress to do.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

92. OK

So it's not part of the Executive Orders, but something (like a new AWB) that has to go through Congress.

Sadly, that means we might not get it.

[PrincetonTiger2009]

116. Unfortunately your completly wrong

6. Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.


How are you getting that all private sales are now to be subject to background checks?...

All Barack is doing is making the first step..TEACHING the Gundealers how to facilitate these checks..AFTER Congress passes the legislation

For goodness sakes you need to keep up the pressure and give your support to Feinstein's bill..I just wish she hadnt testified before congress about her having and carrying a concealed handgun herself.. http://www.mrctv.org/videos/feinstein-1995-her-concealed-carry-permit-i-know-urge-arm-yourself-because-thats-what-i-did

Why couldnt Pelosi do the heavy lifting?? unlike Charles Schumer she has NEVER held a gun

Dont get ahead of yourself and please try to read carefully..your thinking we won and we havnt even gotten to congress yet sheesh

[RomneyLies]

117. That's #6 of Executive Actions, NOT the proposal

The proposal is sent to Congress and requires Congress to act.

So, you are the one who is completely wrong.

[PrincetonTiger2009]

162. Oh Golly..

Yes its sorta kinda what your thinking..in that The AG and his staff have to act..by forming and sending the directions..Come on guys..we need to get it together..do some studying instead of silly dreaming

[bobclark86]

62. DO THIS NOW!

Every straw purchaser needs to be punished with the maximum sentence. (about 8 to 9 percent of guns used in crime are acquired this way) Too bad most of the time the U.S. Attorney is too busy trying to deport some guy who works 15 hours a day to feed his family.

Family members should also be punished for transferring guns to those who are prohibited (about 40 percent)

Source: http://www.dontlie.org/, an anti-straw purchase site ran by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

[glinda]

76. Straw Purchasers are rampant here in MN. I think. I have seen one

or two Anglo men at Auctions pick up as many as thirty guns.

[NYC_SKP]

5. ....he called congress? did he call them right now?

K/R

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. Turn on NBC RIGHT NOW!!!111

[freshwest]

114. Did he do that little trumphet routine the Shrub did? 'Here to deliver a message from the POTUS!'

It was done during hearings and votes, and everything stopped just like King George wanted.

I thought I was in a time warp when I saw that on CSPAN. I was going: WTF is this?

[bowens43]

6. congress won't do shit....at least not the house

[primavera]

10. Not this House, that's for sure

They're more apt to legalize giving assault rifles to toddlers. Oh wait... that's already legal under existing law.

[RandiFan1290]

14. Won't be as easy as getting the Dems to go along with Iraq war?

or the Bush tax cuts?
or the "Patriot" act?
or the DHS?

[primavera]

55. Definitely not

Dems sell out much more readily than Repukes do, sadly.

[still_one]

8. Unfortunately I suspect very little will get done, unless as the President said Americans do

something about it

[Squinch]

9. Gird those loins, kids. I smell a tidal wave of gun trolls at the gates.

[Claybrains]

30. You weren't kidding

[Floyd_Gondolli]

49. They're already here

Their new meme is "I doubt anything ever gets done".

[Squinch]

52. That's one of their favorites. I always wonder what they expect we will do when they say that.

I think they envision that we will say, "Oh, OK,", hang our heads, and go away.

But then they all think they are expert marksmen, too. So there's that...

[geek tragedy]

66. here's another--with 1000+ posts.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014370491#post5

[Squinch]

77. Hey! Glenn Beck just published the same sentiments as that poster!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=370574

Coincidence? I think not!!! We have a celebrity in our midst!

(....run away! run away!...)

[geek tragedy]

97. Jury voted overwhelmingly that calling Obama cowardly and repugnant

because he disagrees with the NRA was okay.

[Squinch]

99. That's pretty disgusting. The one that has my skin still crawling was from yesterday

when there were two jurors that voted to keep a post that said the Sandy Hook killings were a hoax.

They seem to have gotten out of the gungeon Hefty bag and made their way onto juries.

[Scuba]

11. We need Obama for America to have his back on this!

Unleash the Krackens!!!

[louis-t]

127. Second time I've heard that phrase. What'd I miss?

From a movie?

[Whovian]

134. Yes, from both takes of "Clash of the Titans."

Both are great brain candy if you enjoy Mythology.

[louis-t]

161. Wow, that's one, wicked lizard!

[JohnnyBoots]

12. Is there a list of those 23 EO's anywhere?

Thanks.

[RomneyLies]

13. They should end up here later today as he signs them

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/executive-orders

[Tx4obama]

153. See comment #152.

[RomneyLies]

156. Yep, was my bad n/t

[jeff47]

15. Here's a list - they aren't all EOs

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obamas-23-planned-executive-actions-on-guns

[RomneyLies]

17. Oh wow. Every last one of them is related to ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS!

Now we will see the true gun nuts when they oppose enforcing existing law.

[JohnnyBoots]

26. Yeah

I am the strongest of supporters of the RKBA. These are pretty hard to argue against and some might actually work and do some good. Are 'Resource Officers' LEO's that are in schools?

[Tx4obama]

152. The 23 'proposals' are NOT executive orders. They are Executive Actions/Proposals.

The 23 'proposals' are NOT executive orders. They are Executive Actions/Proposals.

Two were actually 'memoranda' (which also are NOT an executive orders):
1) http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/16/presidential-memorandum-improving-availability-relevant-executive-branch
2) http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/01/16/presidential-memorandum-tracing-firearms-connection-criminal-investigati

[RomneyLies]

18. Every last executive action is for the enforcement of existing law

so that makes him an unconstitutional leader.

I bet you think his birth certificate is a forgery, too.

Come on, say it. You know you want to.

[Stuckinthebush]

21. Uh huh...right

Ol 'bama wants to be a dictator, right? Yeah, right.

The stupid burns.

[lamp_shade]

22. ????

[Javaman]

54. the trolls have been loosed upon us. nt

[11 Bravo]

83. This one was a one post flame-out. As their numbers increase ...

the stupidity seems to expand exponentially.

[Recursion]

19. Number 6 is great news

That's a huge part of broadening background checks.

[jmg257]

20. THAT'S Them?? Where are the ones that actually try to control guns??

4, 5, & 6 - a little.

I guess he can only do so much.

[backscatter712]

23. Actual gun control requires legislation.

The President cannot simply ban guns by executive order - he has to get Congress to pass a law to do so.

[nick of time]

68. He can ban the importation of foreign made firearms by EO.

Wondering why he didn't do so.
I would support that.

[groundloop]

73. I'm pretty sure that would require legislation....

Yes, that would be a step in the right direction. But, as with any other gun control that's not already contained in existing law, I don't believe the President can take that action without it going through congress. Please feel free to post a link showing where I'm wrong.

[nick of time]

80. No it doesn't require legislation.

GHW Bush did it by EO. He can't declare a ban on domestic made weapons, only congress can pass that law and it wouldn't stand up to judicial scrutiny.
I really wish he had included a ban on foreign made weapons.

[bobclark86]

110. But all of the guns...

from Aurora, Newtown, etc. were made domestically. It would impact virtually nothing because a) AR's a uniquely American gun, and b) you still can't get this sort of gun from China.

[nick of time]

111. Good point.

I was just wondering why Obama didn't use his EO to ban the importation of foreign weapons, I was corrected by another poster.

[bobclark86]

129. It's all good.

We learn by asking questions and making mistakes. Nobody's perfect, least of all me.

[Recursion]

24. 11 is a big part of that

Once ATF finally has an actual director it will have some more clout, administrative politics being what they are.

[cynatnite]

25. It's a start. n/t

[derby378]

27. Believe it or not, guys, I'm cool with most of the Executive Orders

I have some questions about the CDC's approach to researching the causes and prevention of gun-related crime, but let's see if this produces some hard medical facts (i.e. lead levels in bloodstream weighed against propensity towards violence).

But most of this stuff is fine with me. We could use some additional data for our government to work with. You newbies should think twice about this - I'm a well-known gun-rights advocate here on DU, and I've got the Ignores to prove it.

[rbixby]

34. I think its definitely worth researching

The fact that funding for research was specifically blocked way back when seems pretty stupid to me.

[Puha Ekapi]

47. His EO's

...are perfectly reasonable, and I fully support them.

[SQUEE]

72. I completely agree

We need to open NICS to everyone and require people to use it. Along with a nationwide database of banned persons and stolen firearms
I am opposed to some of his requests to Congress, but I don't see those actually passing to be honest.
I believe all that he started today is sane and responsible dialog.
Well done Mr. President. You had a hard job put before you and as of now I applaud your balance of rights and responsibilities.

[Bake]

123. I see this a whole lot of nothing.

No specific action there that actually does anything to regulate guns. All the foaming at the mouth about executive orders is, well, wrong.

Bake

[Zoonart]

28. President Obama needs you!

Just a plug for my Prez. He has not even been inaugurated yet and all this is on his plate. He is handling it all, I think, spectacularly well. Let the White House know what you think!

Also... say a prayer or a positive affirmation or send a vibe. I am very concerned by the personal tone of the rhetoric from the Extreme Right. That NRA advert using Sasha and Malia? Way out of bounds!

[calimary]

137. Welcome to Du, Zoonart! And let CONGRESS know what you think!

Here, thread of updated TOLL FREE numbers to the Capitol Hill switchboard:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022203784#post4

Glad you're here! President Obama needs ALL of us. I've been calling those numbers and asking to speak to various republi-CONS, and pointing out to them that they are NOT to obstruct on this. Because there are MORE OF US than there are teabaggers, OR republi-CONS, either for that matter.

And there are MORE of us supporting this than opposing this. There are MORE of us who voted for Obama than for wrongney. There are MORE of us. Repeat: MORE. The public opinion polls, and even a vast majority of rank-n-file members of the NRA agree. When you call (not if, I hope, but WHEN), please remind the staffers of republi-CONS and Dems alike of these facts. FACTS. That, yet again, are on OUR side.

[hack89]

29. I support every one of these actions. nt

[obamanut2012]

32. Allowing private sellers to use NICS would be terrific

That needs to actually be made a law.

[jberryhill]

64. That would have to be mediated by a dealer...

I wouldn't think that providing public access to the database would be a good thing.

[obamanut2012]

141. No, but as of right now, private sellers can't do one at all

I think it's a good idea, and I'm a gun owner. I bought my 9mm online, but of course had to go to a local FFL. Easy enough for anyone to go to an FFL and do it.

[jberryhill]

142. Correct

IMHO, dealers should get behind this, since they can collect a fee.

[obamanut2012]

143. Yup -- probably $5-$25 or so

The fee will just have to be regulated, like it is now.

Buyers just need a Passport or DL and SSN, maybe proof of residency in state. NICS checks don't take long, unless there's a red flag. Which I know you know!

[Kennah]

159. Not necessarily

Law enforcement could do the background check for a private sale.

"Good morning. What can I do for you gentlemen?"
"Officer, I want to sell this guy a gun."
"OK, let me see your driver's licenses and unlock the gun case."

[hootinholler]

109. It will probably be via a FFL holder

Last edited Wed Jan 16, 2013, 08:41 PM - Edit history (1)

Similar to interstate guns sales now are supposed to go through a FFL holder.

[obamanut2012]

140. I figured, but that is a great idea

Especially in states that allow private sales at gun shows, etc.

NC requires private sellers to do a background check on buyers, but it's impossible to do a NICS check.

[hootinholler]

145. Since it's a regs change

It should be able to be accomplished by order.

[Mojorabbit]

33. I like all of these except number 2

I have some concerns about patient privacy and would like to see more info on what exactly this one entails.

[obamanut2012]

144. I agree

[Bjornsdotter]

36. A good start

...we'll see where it goes from here, but a good start.

[virginia mountainman]

37. No problem with them..

Just minor quibbles about privacy..

[rrneck]

38. All good. I especially like #23. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

39. I'm a pro-gun liberal.

This entire 23 point EO list looks fine to me. No problems at all. Point 6 could maybe use some funding, the FFL transfer costs about $35, not a lot, but it'll be a big 'bitch point' from the right opposing this, when the later legislation comes down to require FFL transfers for private sales.

But this list is good. Lots of smart, useful stuff in here. Nothing 'offensive' per the 2nd Amendment. Very little for the right wing to latch onto to argue against.

Not unless they for some bizarre reason want to take up a thin artificial veneer of 'patient privacy' to prevent mental health reporting stuff.

Good job, Mr. President, and you as well, Mr. Vice-President.

[groundloop]

81. Oh, the right wing will argue against every last one of the these.

The NRA will get their members into a gun and ammo buying frenzy over this, and the tea-baggers in the house will start impeachment hearings.

[obamanut2012]

146. I do think the mental health reporting protocol needs to be spelled out

[glinda]

40. On #4 will they add people like Rush to the mix? People that fan paranoia and hate?

[annatee33]

41. Any start is a start

We need to have some way to at least take a step to keep some of this from happening. We cannot prevent all violence, but at least we can take a chance.

[Firebrand Gary]

42. Kicked and recommended.

[superpatriotman]

43. Not one of these 'grabs' guns or ammo

Props to the arms industry for creating a false bogeyman to increase revenues and profits.

[Myrina]

44. I don't like # 2 ...

.... I really don't want a 'national database of crazy people' so that people can be stigmatized, watched, followed ... and down the slippery slope we go ...

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. On board with no reservations.

[Robb]

46. Number 9 will piss off a lot of gun folks.

Take a second to think about HOW you do that and you'll see why.

[alcibiades_mystery]

74. It's the best of the bunch

The straw sellers and fake "lost or stolen" assholes are feeding guns to the illicit market and killing our kids. They need to be in prison. Aggressive tracing of guns involved in crimes or seized during raids is crucial to stemming the culture of 'responsible" gun owners who profit by selling their guns to criminals on the illicit market.

[Robb]

78. And by requiring Federal LE to do it, they also have to develop a system.

Call it whatever you like, but it's going to become a national firearms database in no time flat.

[obamanut2012]

147. It isn't that now

A NICS check has nothing to do with your weapons, just the buyer. It'll be done like it is now: a NICS check through a FFL, or, in states like here in NC, a NICS and mental health check through the Sheriff for a pistol permit (or CCW, with addition requirements like evidence of taking and passing a course).

[Robb]

150. Yup.

But this directive is about the weapon.

[sir pball]

100. Doesn't piss me off..

Since there's no legislation up (yet) for registration, they'll trace them the same way they always do - get the serial, go to the manufacturer who keeps records that point to a wholesaler who keeps records than point to a dealer who keeps records that point to the purchaser.

Yeah, the trail goes cold at that point if it was then privately sold, which is why I'm in favor of mandating all sales go through an FFL and those records be kept by the FFL for years. It creates an unbroken chain of custody that leads to the last legal owner without any of the enormous hassles and potential pitfalls of registration.

[NYC_SKP]

48. Like a Tapir: Rumors were in the neighborhood of 19... Barack gave them 23, with some to spare....

I love him.

[HockeyMom]

50. Those of us in RED states

need to contact our Republican reps. The President is right with that one. If you live in a Red State, you need to let them know that there ARE constituents who favor this plan. OUR voices need to be heard in these states and not just NRA members.

[Lurks Often]

53. No objections to the 23 items listed in the OP

other then minor concerns about privacy and that adequate measures be in place to make sure that the mental health aspect can not be abused

[Recursion]

56. President signs gun control EO's liked by both Gungeoneers and other DUers

Existential rift in the DU world is repaired...

[derby378]

58. Hey, who'da thunk it?

[guardian]

57. As a pro-gun DUer I'm okay with the list.

Of course the devil is in the details. But at first glance this set of actions seems okay to me. Though I don't think any of the proposed actions would have prevented any of the recent mass shootings.

[Recursion]

59. Mass shootings are bad drivers of policy

They're too rare, too much outliers on every axis, and too sui generis to legislate much about.

On the other hand, the much more common "normal" shootings are addressed at least in part by a lot of these.

[groundloop]

87. Unfortunately mass shootings are NOT rare anymore.

I guess it depends on your personal definition of rare, but by my definition they're far too common.

[Recursion]

95. If you graph gun homicides, mass shootings still aren't even visible

They're horrifying but an infinitesimal drop in the bucket of gun homicides in general, which is what I meant by "rare".

[mrsadm]

60. WOW! "Launch a national dialogue" ... I am amazed!

[Historic NY]

61. How to get more than 27 states complying with the MH reporting to NICS...

loss of Federal Funds, etc....if they don't comply.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/mental-health-background-check-newtown-shooting-adam-lanza

[nick of time]

63. All good measures.

I'm really curious as to why he didn't sign an EO banning the importation of foreign made assault weapons?
That's certainly well within his purview.
I would wholeheartedly support that.

[SQUEE]

93. Because that already exists? ie. 922r.

922r compliance is a grey area, a foreign produced rifle with certain specific characteristics must have a minimum number of us made parts to be in compliance. In theory this means that no purely sourced international "assault" rifle is allowed importation into the U.S. In practice companies import parts and assemble them here with domestic source parts.
It would do little as the firearm community has moved past a fascination with Comblock weapons and the current "star" is the AR pattern firearms.

[Recursion]

96. That already exists and it's why AR15's trigger housing mechanisms have to be put on in the US

Which is also why a lot of foreign gun manufacturers opened up factories here (which in itself sounds like a good thing, and is a reminder for people who say protectionism never works).

Now, we could probably tighten those definitions up some, too.

[nick of time]

98. Got it.

Thanks for the info.
All in all, a great speech by our Prez..

[humbled_opinion]

67. Great Great Start now the President is asking

us to call write petition our representatives at all levels to back a gun ban.... The President actually said today that "more than 900 people have died at the end of a gun since the massacre at Sandy Hook"... That is a call for a gun ban period.... Now Congress must act... Write Call get involved... Lets try a march on D.C. or a Rally at the Capital.... Please....

[Elmer fudd]

69. No ban on extended mags or AR's? How disappointing

All I can see is that our brilliant President has added more guns to schools (#12) how sad is that really?

I think he had a really great opportunity to make real changes to the gun laws - and it has slipped away again!

I'm not sure how to take this news now. I'm sure that they are working on a beter list behind closed doors

[RomneyLies]

75. The concern you've expressed in your very first post is concerning

I'm so concerned about your concern that I have noted it and hope others will be as concerned.

[Elmer fudd]

88. Good!

I've lurked on here for ages - never bothered posting because of all the bitterness and pettiness...

But I'm glad you are concerned as I am - I hoped - and expected - for soo much more!

I'm sure it will come now that the prez is on the case.

[RomneyLies]

91. Well let me be the first of many to say, thank you for your concern. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

85. He called on congress to enact the proper legislation

This can't be done by executive order.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

90. I was wondering...

When they started talking about Executive Orders, I recalled that the original AWB was passed by Congress. I was wondering if that could be accomplished by Obama on his own.

Thanks for the reminder.

[nadinbrzezinski]

103. What he could have done

And I get the political calculus of why not, is stop the importation of AK style weapons, like poppy bush did.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

108. Poisoning the well, perhaps?

Maybe he thought it would be easier to get a ban through Congress if he didn't first rile up the Republican base.

[Jennicut]

94. EO's are not legislation.

He can do EO's now but to ban gun magazines or AR's he has to get that through Congress.

[MannyGoldstein]

126. Thanks for your post

Some folks on DU feel that espousing Liberal positions is a sure sign of a paid Republican troll.

Crazy stuff.

[milwaukeelib33]

133. +1

[friendly_iconoclast]

70. I'm good with these so far.

The devil, of course, will be in the details...

[samsingh]

71. thank you Mr. President

[DreamGypsy]

84. 3. Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.

I recall recently seeing a statement that a number of states refused to implement the NICS system or at least to implement it fully

Here's a recent interview from NPR: Gun Background Check System Lacks Money, State Involvement

The interviewee is Steve Buford, the assistant bureau chief at the California Bureau of Firearms. California does participate fully in the NICS. Buford elaborates on a few of theses issues:

(NB: This article is a transcript. I edited out the 'you knows' and connected bits of sentences to make the comments more readable. I think I preserved the intent. The intact transcript is available at the link and NPR probably has the video available.)

I think the big issue there is who bears the burden of implementing and maintaining that restitution program? The grant monies that the feds have placed out there for these particular programs just aren't sufficient enough to fund the program. You can't just lay it out there and say, go implement this program. There has to be sufficient funding and it can't be small amounts of funding. It has to be sufficient to fund the entire program.

There are some gaps in the system, but I'd rather have the system with the gaps than no system at all, no federal system at all. We use federal records all the time to deny gun purchases people illegally and unlawfully, they could be criminals. We use it to deny people that are mental defectives in other states and people that are under restraining orders.

My question is: Why not commit the federal excise tax on firearm and ammunition purchases to funding of NICS and any other state programs involved in the 26 Executive Actions? And make the tax rate float to insure that the systems ARE fully funded?

OK, clearly the zeroth answer is that the current Congress would never pass such legislation, despite all the angst about cutting Federal deficits. Yeah.

But are their obvious problems with the approach? Maybe a portion of the alcohol excise tax could be designated as well. And, as more states legalize marijuana, an similar excise tax could be added.

[Jennicut]

86. We need an ATF director.

We have not had a permanent ATF director in years, I think. Because of resistance in Congress by the pro gun crowd.

[Hekate]

101. KnR

[global1]

102. I Listened To A Mother Of One Of The Sandy Hook Victims Yesterday Talk About HIPPA Law....

She indicated that HIPPA Law prevents us from getting adequate info on the shooter Lanza. I was hoping for an EO that addresses this law and allows that if a person is involved in a shooting incident where someone is killed - whether the shooter remain alive or dead - that all medical information be made available and is no longer protected by HIPPA. Essentially a person involved in such a crime loses their right to privacy.

We need to understand what is going on medically with these shooters. Are they being seen by medical professionals such as psychiatrists as being suspect for a mental health problem or being treated for a mental health problem.

Many people have made espoused the hypothesis that drugs that such people are being treated with might be the problem. Well - we need to be able to determine that and the only way we'll be able to do that is if this type of information is readily available.

[neffernin]

106. Not to be a grammer nazi but...

its HIPAA.

[global1]

119. Tbanks And Sorry.....

in my haste to get the post up I mistyped. Please forgive me.

[neffernin]

164. No biggie

Having worked on HIPAA security I made the same mistake a whole bunch at first

[jeff47]

115. No.

Well - we need to be able to determine that and the only way we'll be able to do that is if this type of information is readily available.

Doctors, researchers and other qualified people need to determine that. And they can already get access to the data.

The general public does not.

[ManiacJoe]

151. What you are suggesting requires changes in the law by Congress.

[shenmue]

104. Surprise order 24: everyone gets a kitten!

Hooray!

[Renew Deal]

105. This all seems to be about process and mental health

No bans or restrictions in there. I'm not sure why someone like the gov of Miss. is objecting to.

[RomneyLies]

107. He's objecting to it because OBAMA!

and because FREEDOM!

[blitzburgh55]

112. Is he going to send troops to Invade the NRA?

[earcandle]

120. My husband says the best way to get the Repukes to agree to ban on weapons

is to constitute a newer stronger version of the Black Panthers.

They will go for it then. Heheh.

[Bake]

121. So how does a private citizen (not a dealer) sell a gun to another private citizen?

Or is that now illegal?

Bake

[RomneyLies]

122. That will be up to Congress

Most likely, all private sales will have to go through a FFL.

[truedelphi]

124. Can anyone here explain what Item Number Two means, in concrete terms?

Not saying I disagree with the item - stating I have no idea what it means.

[JVS]

135. Doctor patient confidentiality is already compromised when it comes to mental health.

I'm guessing the order means that he wants to lay the legal groundwork for it to be compromised further so that mental health professionals keep the police informed if they think someone shouldn't be armed.

[truedelphi]

163. Thanks for shedding light on this. n/t

[thucythucy]

125. Excellent!

And here I was just about done basking in the aftermath of the November victory, but now I'm experiencing that "Thank God we won and the other guy (what was his name again--the one who was always lying?) lost.

It's just so great to have an intelligent, thinking person as president!

[Waiting For Everyman]

128. Thanks for posting the list.

K&R

[ManiacJoe]

131. An excellent Presidential to-do list!

[lumberjack_jeff]

132. I'm not going to applaud executive action eliminating "unnecessary legal barriers"

Until I understand what they are.

The last guy to hold that office thought that Habeas Corpus was one of those unnecessary legal barriers.

[JVS]

136. I agree. Legislation isn't written for no reason. If those barriers were considered necessary enough

to get into law, they're there for a reason.

[obamanut2012]

148. OMG I agree with you on something

[valerief]

149. Where is BAN GUN SHOWS? That'd be nice. nt

[libodem]

160. #11

Buttheads, get on it!!!