Obama Announces New Gun Ownership Regulations in the U.S.

The President of the United States announced new regulations for controlling gun ownership aimed at reducing violence related to it. Mr. Obama stated that these regulations would be implemented within his authority and without the need for congressional approval. According to the Associated Press, Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 5, addressed a group of families of victims of recent gun violence in the U.S., accusing the powerful pro-gun lobby that opposes stricter regulations of holding Congress hostage, adding, 'But they cannot hold America hostage.' Obama reiterated that tightening regulations on private gun ownership does not conflict with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which grants the right to bear arms. In a part of his speech, visibly affected and with tears on his cheeks while recalling the deaths of some people, including several children in such violence, he said: 'The new regulations are not a conspiracy to disarm everyone, but anyone who is found to have no criminal record can buy a gun.' Barack Obama added: 'But the problem is that gun sellers have their own regulations.' According to the Associated Press, current regulations by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation only require licensed sellers to check buyers' backgrounds and ensure they have no criminal records, but many of these sellers evade such regulations by not registering as licensed sellers at gun shows, online sites, or markets. Now, Mr. Obama has announced that with the tightening of regulations, 'everyone who is involved in selling guns' will be required to check the backgrounds of buyers. Barack Obama has been trying for years to pass new laws regarding gun ownership in the U.S. and to limit it. The Obama administration will also take new measures to ensure the implementation of these regulations, including hiring 230 inspectors by the FBI to check buyers' backgrounds. Just an hour after Mr. Obama's remarks, the 'National Rifle Association,' the main lobby opposing stricter gun regulations, announced that it would continue its 'fight to defend the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which recognizes the right to own and carry private arms.' This lobby considered the new regulations as measures that, according to them, 'pave the way for government abuse.' Mr. Obama has begun the last year of his presidency, and Republican candidates in next year's presidential election have also promised to overturn his order in this regard.