01-05-2016, 01:28 PM
1) In order to make his actions appear meaningful, Obama is going to have to pretend that they represent serious change. If he does that, though, he'll permit his opponents to say, "look, we just did big gun control by executive order, we have other things to do, and we're not doing it again." That matters. The Left makes great hay out of the "we never do anything" line, and its more effective advocates use our present inertia to justify the need for experimentation. Insofar as there is any, Obama has slowed the momentum for further gun-control. This is not how you win the argument.
2) By taking this route, Obama will help to entrench America's gun culture and for little in return. Ceteris paribus, the United States will play host to at least another 20 million guns by the end of December 2016 many of them so-called "assault weapons." In addition, the country will welcome another million or so concealed carriers, and another half-million or so NRA members. Every time the president talks about gun control, these numbers increase, and, in consequence, the president's opponents are strengthened. Not only will this maneuver make it more likely that a Republican presidential candidate will make inroads with pro-gun voters the ads write themselves: "you don't want another anti-gun would-be King, do you?" but it will likely damage the long-term prospects for change.
By his own account, Obama wants to reduce, not increase, the number of guns in circulation. If history is anything to go by, this action will do precisely the opposite. And for what? A minor change to the way in which firearms are sold on the private market? Obama has let his emotion get the better of him here. He and his fellow travelers will likely pay a price.
For HoTD: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429...rs-mistake
2) By taking this route, Obama will help to entrench America's gun culture and for little in return. Ceteris paribus, the United States will play host to at least another 20 million guns by the end of December 2016 many of them so-called "assault weapons." In addition, the country will welcome another million or so concealed carriers, and another half-million or so NRA members. Every time the president talks about gun control, these numbers increase, and, in consequence, the president's opponents are strengthened. Not only will this maneuver make it more likely that a Republican presidential candidate will make inroads with pro-gun voters the ads write themselves: "you don't want another anti-gun would-be King, do you?" but it will likely damage the long-term prospects for change.
By his own account, Obama wants to reduce, not increase, the number of guns in circulation. If history is anything to go by, this action will do precisely the opposite. And for what? A minor change to the way in which firearms are sold on the private market? Obama has let his emotion get the better of him here. He and his fellow travelers will likely pay a price.
For HoTD: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429...rs-mistake