I dont see a issue with what there proposing? Whats so bad about them enforcing existing law? That to me makes sound since.
On some levels there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is the way he may decide to creatively interpret the existing laws. I mean he has an issue understanding the second amendment, which is already about clear as day, and our interpretation is backed up by EVERY scrap of evidence from the time of the writing of the Constitution... yet, he feels there might be some ambiguity in the words, "Shall not be infringed."
Whats so bad about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doing reserch on guns? Chances are this will take years if not longer. There not going to do this over night. Also maybe this will help lead them to mental health issues that plague our country.
Are guns a disease? That is the issue. The problem with appointing any government agency whose directors are also governmentally (read: politically) appointed is that ANYTHING they produce is automatically suspect. Look at the papers they produced regarding second hand smoking, the conclusions of the papers don't always match up with the evidence found in the report itself. There is also the MAJOR concern that any research will be done with a predetermined "Finding" in mind.
I also worry that such studies won't be years in the coming, and once a report is out there it will be used to bludgeon people in the head to bully them into a stance whether the report is factual or not. They've done it before.
The sharing of existing gun databases among federal and state agencies seems kinda scare at first but is kinda pointless. NICS checks are purged every 48hrs I believe and gun registries only exist in a certain few states. I would also assume those states that they do exist in would have to agree to share them.
The Pres. has a lot of clout to bully the states to toe the line whether they like it or not. The other issue is what if his order says, "We won't purge NICS anymore so we can have a better idea if someone is buying LOTS of guns over a short period." Then we have a background check that works a whole lot more like a registry. A few penstrokes here and there and Uncle Sam can know you bought a rifle on Tuesday, and a handgun on Friday. Then all he needs to do is have a couple of agents swing by to see if you're planning a revolution with all of your many (two) guns, and while they are there, they can see if there are any minor infractions they could use to get a warrant, or bully you into illegal search followed by seizure.
Of course, we saw a few weeks ago exactly what kind of issues can arise from registries. Look at that website that has New York gun owner's names and addresses listed like they are sex offenders. With the Freedom of Information act and Obama at the helm do you think they will try to keep that information secret? Do you want all of your neighbors to know when you buy something new? Even if nothing is done, do you want that information on the books so a future President can decide that, "Confiscation is the way to go, and oh look!
We have this handy list right here!"
I don't see any issue with focusing on enforcing existing laws. That is more sound then any other idea out there. Whats wrong with them taking laws that are already out there on the books and enforcing them instead of letting people slide by?
Outside of a so-called gun show loophole (which I've seen no evidence of actually existing, at least here in PA, they run the background checks when buying at a show.) I am not sure how, exactly, we're currently sliding by anything. You certainly can't go out to your local gun store and buy an actual selective fire m16 without a Class 3...
Stronger background checks will since he cant modify the laws all he can do is have them check it against more data bases for criminal activity I would assume.
What's wrong with the current check they do? It already effectively stops felons from buying guns legally. Private citizens aren't required, but certainly are encouraged to bring a private sale into a shop to transfer a firearm, and no responsible gun owner wants more bad guys to have guns. I am not opposed to trying to find ways to cut down further on straw purchases, but no gun database will help with that.
Whats so bad about these things? They don't impede anyone rights. They don't take anything away they don't outlaw any guns. I think its the best possible outcome.
Its better than an outright weapons ban, yes. But not by much and the chance to abuse it is FAR too great. The other issue is that the President is supposed to enforce, not create laws. Its not his prerogative to decide how big of a magazine I'm allowed to go plinking with. One of the tenets of the Second Amendment is that its a guard against tyranny. When looking at the writings of the founding fathers, tyranny includes a member of government attempting to usurp the powers and roles of other parts of government. We have checks and balances for a reason, and the second amendment is the last line of defense against a breakdown of that system. The final check and balance as it were.