Seeking support for gun actions, Obama tears into the NRA

Flanked by survivors of the violence that kills around 30,000 Americans every year, and relatives of some of those killed, Obama became emotional as he remembered 20 elementary school children shot dead three years ago in Newtown, Connecticut.

The event Thursday will be different. The audience was filled with people on both sides of the gun debate, including families of victims of gun violence as well as those against gun control measures. “I don’t know when would i have started on this enterprise”, Obama said.

CNN also said the White House had no editorial control over the event.

Earlier this week a tearful Obama said unilateral measures were needed to tackle U.S. gun violence. “It’s a very effective way of separating fact from fiction”.

“He doesn’t support the individual right to own a firearm”.

It began with Tuesday’s press conference during which Obama announced he would use his executive actions to circumvent Congress and close certain loopholes that allow easy access to guns. “They’re just down the street”, Mr Obama said, referring to the group’s nearby headquarters.

The NRA fired back at Obama while the town hall was still going on.

Some of Obama’s staunch critics doubt his sincerity. The National Rifle Association was invited to participate, but according to NRA-ILA Executive Vice President Chris Cox, the organization was told they would only be allowed to ask a single, pre-screened question.

Taken together, the twin public relations efforts reflect the president’s desire to demonstrate for his supporters a commitment to gun control even as he seeks to reassure gun owners that he has no intention of confiscating their weapons.

Obama’s actions on guns have drawn major attention in the presidential campaign, with the Democratic candidates backing Obama and the Republicans unanimously voicing opposition. In his remarks, Obama repeatedly urged Americans to put pressure on lawmakers to act. I’ve said this before.

A feckless Congress has forced the president to act unilaterally. “So this has a whole lot more to do with a profit motive than it does anybody’s constitutional rights”.

President Barack Obama rejected the conservative talking point on Thursday that his administration is out to strip guns away from their owners.

“No matter what President Obama says, his word does not trump the Second Amendment”.