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 Obama made it clear he does not expect gun laws to change during
his remaining year in office, but pledged to do what he can to make
gun control a theme in the months leading up to the November
election to replace him.
In a powerful address in the White House, surrounded by family
members of people killed in shootings, Obama's voice rose to a yell
as he said the constitutional rights of Americans to bear arms
needed to be balanced by the right to worship, gather peacefully and
live their lives.
Obama has often said his toughest time in office was grappling with
the December 2012 massacre of 20 children and six adults at an
elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
"Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad," Obama said,
tears rolling down his cheek.
"That changed me, that day," he said, after being introduced by Mark
Barden, whose 7-year-old son was killed in the shooting. "My hope
earnestly has been that it would change the country."
 After that tragedy, the Democratic president failed to persuade
Congress to toughen U.S. gun laws. He has blamed lawmakers for being
in the thrall of the powerful National Rifle Association gun lobby
group.
Obama, comparing the issue to the great civil rights causes of his
time, is set to discuss gun violence again during a live televised
town hall on CNN on Thursday, and during his State of the Union
address next Tuesday.
Vice President Joe Biden is slated to do a series of television
interviews on the topic on Wednesday.
LEGAL CHALLENGES EXPECTED
The U.S. Constitution's 2nd Amendment gives Americans the right to
have arms, a right that is fiercely defended.
Obama laid out executive action he is taking to require more gun
sellers to get licenses and more gun buyers to undergo background
checks.
Under the changes, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and
Explosives (ATF) is issuing guidelines intended to narrow exceptions
to a system that requires sellers to check with the Federal Bureau
of Investigation to determine whether buyers have criminal records,
are charged with crimes or have mental health conditions that would
bar them from owning a gun.
The proposal is "ripe for abuse" by the government, said Chris Cox,
an official with the NRA, in a statement, adding that the group will
continue to fight to protect Americans' constitutional rights.
Legal challenges to the changes, which are contained in guidance
from the ATF, are expected.
The crucial question in any direct legal challenge will be whether
the ATF guidance creates new obligations, or merely clarifies
existing law.
The more the Obama administration acts as though the guidance has
created a new legal requirement, the more legal trouble it might
invite, said Lisa Heinzerling, administrative law professor at
Georgetown University.
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The stocks of gunmakers Smith & Wesson Holding Corp and Sturm Ruger
& Co Inc have climbed since the announcement. On Tuesday, Smith &
Wesson ended up 11.1 percent to $25.86 a share and Sturm Ruger
closed up 6.8 percent at $65.54.
REPUBLICANS VOW TO FIGHT
Republican leaders were quick to denounce Obama's gun changes, with
most Republican candidates for the 2016 presidential race promising
to reverse his actions if they win the White House.
Democratic candidates praised the moves.
Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee, said
the changes were "all about burnishing the president’s legacy and
boosting Democrat enthusiasm in a presidential election year."
Republicans who control Congress made it clear that they oppose the
changes, although some downplayed their significance.
"Ultimately, this executive 'guidance' is only a weak gesture - a
shell of what the president actually wants," said Kevin McCarthy,
leader of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Democrat Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia appeared to be in a
minority in his party in voicing opposition to Obama's actions.
"Instead of taking unilateral executive action, the President should
work with Congress and the American people, just as I’ve always
done, to pass the proposals he announced today.
"Like all law-abiding Americans and gun owners, I want to prevent
future incidents of gun violence and keep firearms out of the hands
of criminals and the mentally ill, but legislation and consensus is
the correct approach,” Manchin said in a statement.
(Additional reporting by Robert Iafolla, Julia Edwards, Steve
Holland, Richard Cowan, Susan Cornwall, Susan Heavey and Megan
Cassella; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Jonathan Oatis, James
Dalgleish, Toni Reinhold)
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