January, 04 2016, 03:30pm EDT
Brady Campaign Calls on Obama to Put Action Behind His Words
Dan Gross: “Executive action is better than no action, which is what we’re seeing in Congress”
WASHINGTON
During his Weekly Address, President Obama announced his commitment to take on the unfinished business of gun violence in America in the new year. In addition to announcing a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Monday, the media has been reporting on the outlines of possible Executive Orders being considered by the White House. Today, Brady Campaign President Dan Gross issued the following statement calling on the President to put bold action behind his words.
"We're very encouraged by what the President had to say, now it's time for President Obama to make good on those words by using the full weight of his office to keep guns out of the hands of people we all agree shouldn't have them including convicted felons, domestic abusers, and terrorists.
"Specifically, when President Obama and Attorney General Lynch meet on Monday they should commit to finally taking up Brady's recommendations to stop 'bad apple' gun dealers by aggressively enforcing existing laws. 'Bad apples' are the five percent of gun dealers that sell 90 percent of all crime guns in the country. Federal law enforcement knows who the 'bad apples' are, which is why Brady, joined by members of Congress, mayors, and other public officials, has been calling on the Administration to take action to reform these 'bad apples' or shut them down.
"We are also imploring President Obama to use his full legal authority to expand life-saving Brady background checks. They have blocked more than 2.4 million gun sales to prohibited purchasers like felons, fugitives and domestic abusers, yet in most states they are not required for sales made at gun shows or online. As a result, thousands of guns are sold every day to 'Lord knows who,' many winding up in the hands of prohibited purchasers. Ultimately Congress must finish the job the Brady Campaign started in 1993 with the passage of the Brady Bill and put the safety of the American people ahead of the evil agenda of the corporate gun lobby and pass legislation. But in the meantime we have recommended meaningful action the President can take to make us all safer by expanding Brady background checks, including some sales made at gun shows and online.
"Make no mistake, these are real solutions that will have a dramatic impact on the devastating toll of gun violence in our nation, just by keeping guns out of the hands of the people we all agree should not have them and without infringing whatsoever on the right of a law abiding citizen to safely buy or own guns. As gun violence continues to claim 89 American lives every single day, it's our hope the President takes the immediate and meaningful action we have recommended."
Brady United formerly known as The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and its legislative and grassroots affiliate, the Brady Campaign and its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
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