Via WhiteHouse.gov

In a speech that moved from policy to emotion to history, President Barack Obama today laid out executive actions with the goal of reducing gun violence.

Mark Barden, the father of one of the 20 children who were killed at Sandy Hook, introduced the president with the story of his son, Daniel.

“Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad,” Obama said, with tears in his eyes.

“The United States of America is not the only country on earth with violent people,” the president said. “But we are the only advanced country on earth that sees this kind of mass violence erupt with this kind of frequency. It doesn’t happen in other advanced countries. It’s not even close. Somehow we become numb to it and start thinking this is normal.”

Among the newly announced provisions:

• Staffing up the FBI’s background checks: “The envisioned improvements include processing background checks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully attempt to buy a gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process these background checks.”
• Investing in mental health care: “The Administration is proposing a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care.”
• Requiring more sellers be licensed: “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is making clear that it doesn’t matter where you conduct your business—from a store, at gun shows, or over the Internet: If you’re in the business of selling firearms, you must get a license and conduct background checks.” Also: “ATF is finalizing a rule to require background checks for people trying to buy some of the most dangerous weapons and other items through a trust, corporation, or other legal entity.”

Even before the announcement, many gun advocates threatened to challenge the provisions in court and many Republicans, particularly those on the campaign trail, blasted the move.

“We can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment,” Obama responded, taking pains to point out that he isn’t trying to take away guns. He also noted that, despite strong public support for such a policy, legislation failed along partisan lines to expand background checks at gun shows.

“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage, but they cannot hold America hostage,” he said. “We do not accept this carnage as the price of freedom.”