Here are a few stories related to the recent White House meetings - chaired by Vice President Biden - about how to focus on gun violence. This might make a good written assignment for 2306.
For general information on the task force, click here. The story details tension within the White House about how expansive their proposals should and suggest that following might be prioritized:
In addition to limits on high-capacity magazines and expanded background checks, Mr. Biden’s group is looking at ways of keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and cracking down on sales that are already illegal. One possibility is tougher laws against straw purchasing with longer prison terms for those who buy guns for others. Some officials would like to expand mandatory minimum sentences for gun law violations, but the White House in general does not like such sentences. Mr. Biden’s group is also considering seeking additional money to enforce existing laws.
Biden met with gun control advocates, and gun rights organizations separately.
Special attention is being given to what legislative solutions might be possible, but given the ongoing logjam in Congress, consideration also focuses on what executive action can be taken without legislative participation:
Most changes to the current system, which allows easy access to weapons with hugely destructive power, has to come through legislation. A renewed and more effective assault weapons ban, limits on high-capacity magazines, stiffer penalties for carrying guns near schools — all these measures would require the assent of Congress to be enacted. And Republicans, particularly in the House, have made it clear that they intend to oppose most of President Obama’s plans.
But there are several significant steps the president can take on his own.
Perhaps most importantly, he can strengthen the database that the F.B.I. uses to perform background checks on gun buyers. Many federal agencies that don’t currently contribute to the database, such as the Social Security Administration, have access to mental competence information about prospective buyers, or details about failed drug tests and other issues that might prevent a sale to the wrong person. Through an order, the president can get these agencies to share more information with the F.B.I.. As Charlie Savage of The Times recently reported, the Justice Department has studied several similar ideas to improve the background-check system, most of which have been shelved.
This adds a nuance to the dispute, not only does this raise Second Amendment issues, but separated powers issues as well. Expect consideration of this in class asap.
