Though the United States' unhealthy relationship with firearms would seemingly be an obvious source of much-needed improvement, the debate surrounding the implementation of proper gun control still remains a heated source of contention as we move into an election year. On Thursday, CNN sources revealed that President Barack Obama is planning to announce executive action "with the goal of expanding background checks on gun sales" within days.
Describing the announcement as "imminent," these sources say the action could possibly be revealed as soon as next week ahead of Obama's final State of the Union address. "It is complicated," White House spokesperson Eric Schultz tells CNN. "That's why it's taken some time for our policy folks, our lawyers, and our expects to work through this and see what's possible." Schultz, however, refused to reveal or even confirm Obama's reportedly imminent announcement.
As expected, the focus will reportedly remain on current gun laws' glaring loophole involving firearms sold at gun shows and via other, similar outlets. Federal law currently requires anyone "engaged in the business" of actively selling guns to get a license and conduct background checks on potential customers. However, those who only sell guns occasionally are entirely exempt from requiring background checks. If that loophole sounds preposterous, that’s because it definitely is. With this alleged executive action, Obama would presumably expand the background check requirement to include these loophole-abusing sellers in an effort to reduce the nation's startling amount of gun violence.
