GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, OR DO THEY?

[HairOfTheDog]

I didn't mention background checks at all and I don't care who questions what, Gunnar. Your babbling responses have nothing to do with my comment, which is frequently the case with you.

I simply noted that the ATF determines who qualifies as a dealer and issues the licenses; that's not something Obama is proposing to change.

I think the ATF is the right agency to continue doing so, personally. And, I like the idea that under Obama's proposal, the ATF will have more defined criteria as to what constitutes "dealing." Once the proposal is enacted, if you're dealing firearms at a gun show or over the internet, the ATF will have the means to better enforce the existing law and require you to get a license and run background checks on your potential buyers (same as law-abiding dealers already do).

You would not be subject to dealer review by the ATF for selling one of your grandfather's guns to your father; not now and not under Obama's new proposals, to the best of my understanding. But, maybe someone will pose a related question at Thursday's Town Hall.

The ATF doesn't have the personnel or the funding to do its current job. How do you expect them to perform these executive orders in the next 11 months HoTD? It took Obama 7 years just to name a director, and you want to put them in charge of these executive orders? I don't see how anything can go wrong there do you?

You're like that clumsy guy who trips over his own two feet, then tries to deflect and pass it off as an intentional spontaneous dance move in the produce aisle. You meant to do it!

Anyway.............the ATF has been around since long before Obama; often times reasonably or unreasonably perceived to be understaffed and/or inefficient (like almost every agency).

The ATF heads are part of the team which has developed the proposed Executive Actions. And, as noted in the article snip I posted this morning, your concern has been addressed in the Executive Action plan. The ATF staff and budget will be expanded to handle the additional screening and checks.

Whether the ATF will struggle or skate in handling the expanded dealer-qualification responsibilities will depend on several factors. I have no reason to conclude that they'll fail and I hope that they'll be able to manage it well.

So far, Gunnar, nothing you've posted here today makes the Executive Actions seem any less reasonable or prudent. Obama's not touching your grandpa's gun. You claim to be dissatisfied with the ATF, but they've been in charge of firearms-related procedures through many administrations and their resources will be expanded in accordance with expanded scope of duties.

You previously claimed that you're all for universal background checks. There's nothing nonsensical in the proposal to help achieve that goal. You seem to be objecting for objection's sake; no substance.

Also, you've previously advocated for smart gun technology to promote greater gun safety. Well, Obama agrees with you and he's pushing for investment in that area as well.

So, nothing changes for you with the enactment of the Executive Actions. And, nothing changes for people who actually own guns either, so long as they're not illegally dealing them or attempting to purchase them illegally.

If you want to object to any president using Executive Order/Action because you don't trust the government, I understand. But that's not a gun or Obama beef, that's a legal matter that applies across administrations and a multitude of topics.