The White House has announced that President Barack Obama is considering using his executive power to bypass Congress and expand the range of firearm sales for which background checks are required. The Hill reports the expert opinion that any such action would face significant legal challenges. The proposed executive action would impose the need for a license and background checks on any private individuals who sell a “significant” number of guns in a year, and the administration may have a hard time selling the courts on what a “significant” number looks like.
The president is not able to impose the “universal” background checks sought by so many anti-gunners. NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker explains the administration’s motivation: “They hate guns. They know they can’t get rid of the Second Amendment, so they want to make it as difficult as possible for law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights.”
