# Obama is planning to use Executive Orders for gun control. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 9, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673 "2013-01-09T21:29:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/1 "2013-01-09T21:29:19Z")
\ I guess they’ll be a massive court battle much sooner than expected. Obama thinks he can whip out his pen and crush gun owners. Now maybe people will finally understand why people have been worried about Obama. The guys attitude towards governing is frightening. Lets bypass Congress and I’ll decide whats best for the country. :dubious: I can’t imagine what powers this guy thinks he has to dictate interstate commerce or sales in states. The legal battles alone to stop this guy could run up into the hundreds of millions. > **[Biden: Obama exploring executive orders to combat gun violence | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2013/01/09/politics/gun-control-battle/index.html?hpt=hp_t1)** > > President Barack Obama is exploring executive orders to help prevent mass shootings in America, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday. Fox has some additional info too. [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/09/vice-president-to-meet-with-gun-safety-groups/](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/09/vice-president-to-meet-with-gun-safety-groups/) > [@](#): > > President Barack Obama is exploring executive orders to help prevent mass shootings in America, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday. > > “The president is going to act. Executive orders, executive action, can be taken,” Biden told reporters before meetings with groups representing survivors of mass shootings. “We haven’t decided what this is yet, but we’re compiling it all with the help of the attorney general and all the rest of the Cabinet members.” > > Legislative action also is needed, Biden said. > [@](#): > > But the vice president hinted Wednesday that executive action – action by the president in which Congress would not have a say – would indeed be involved. > > “There are executive orders, executive action that can be taken,” Biden said, adding “we haven’t decided what that is yet.” > > He also said separate legislative action would be “required.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/2 "2013-01-09T21:39:14Z")
Uh, are we sure, and I mean _sure_, that the “executive orders” part of Biden’s quote wasn’t part of a self-correction - that he meant to say “executive action,” but misspoke? ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/3 "2013-01-09T21:39:56Z")
You don’t even know what he plans to do yet. He doesn’t even know what he plans to do yet. Maybe wait until there’s actually a position to discuss before you claim he’s going to “whip out his pen and crush gun owners.”? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/4 "2013-01-09T21:48:02Z")
It would be interesting to see what the great Constitutional scholar we put in the Oval Office thinks can be done by the executive branch to bypass the Constitution. Of course maybe Biden is just shooting off his silly mouth again. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/5 "2013-01-09T21:51:05Z")
This is just a warning shot to Congress to get something done on this. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/6 "2013-01-09T21:51:18Z")
(nm) Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/7 "2013-01-09T22:03:23Z")
> [@Terraplane](#): > > You don’t even know what he plans to do yet. He doesn’t even know what he plans to do yet. Maybe wait until there’s actually a position to discuss before you claim he’s going to “whip out his pen and crush gun owners.”? As well as an explanation as to how he could. He’s President, not King. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/8 "2013-01-09T22:15:13Z")
[Debate in progress in GD.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=678380) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/9 "2013-01-09T22:18:04Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > This is just a warning shot to Congress to get something done on this. That is my guess, too. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/10 "2013-01-09T22:20:48Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > This is just a warning shot to Congress to get something done on this. I hope so. Right now it’s just making the paranoid survivalists in Idaho look like they’ve been right all along. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/11 "2013-01-09T23:19:37Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I hope so. Right now it’s just making the paranoid survivalists in Idaho look like they’ve been right all along. Dammit, that is a good point. I wonder where this last murder bought his stuff. I can see cracking down on gun shows. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/12 "2013-01-09T23:34:08Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Obama thinks he can whip out his pen and crush gun owners. “'Scuse me while I whip this out.” It had to be said. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/13 "2013-01-09T23:41:02Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > (nm) > > Regards, > Shodan Hope I can recall this post next time there is a discussion about how infantile and attention seeking post salutations are. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/14 "2013-01-09T23:48:12Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > “'Scuse me while I whip this out.” > > It had to be said. I feel less alone, knowing I wasn’t the only one thinking that. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/15 "2013-01-09T23:53:33Z")
From my point of view it’s strengthening the position against any gun control. This is everybody’s worst fears. A President abusing his powers and trying to impose his single will on the entire nation. Executive orders are pretty rare. They aren’t supposed to be used as a method of side stepping Congress. Pulling a stunt like this will simply push the more moderate Senators and Congressman away from any gun control. I’ve said before, that I support _reasonable_ changes. Close the loophole at Gun Shows. I’ve bought two guns from [galleryofguns.com](http://galleryofguns.com). You put down a deposit, and they give you a list of local dealers where it can be picked up. You fill out the Firearms paperwork, they do the background check. Painless and no big deal. You even pay state sales tax when paying the balance owed on the gun. I see no reason gun shows can’t do the same or even set up a booth to do the Firearms checks. There’s other reasonable things that can be done without having our Federal government turn into Big Brother. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/16 "2013-01-10T00:06:08Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > From my point of view it’s strengthening the position against any gun control. This is everybody’s worst fears. A President abusing his powers and trying to impose his single will on the entire nation. Executive orders are pretty rare. They aren’t supposed to be used as a method of side stepping Congress. Pulling a stunt like this will simply push the more moderate Senators and Congressman away from any gun control. > > I’ve said before, that I support _reasonable_ changes. Close the loophole at Gun Shows. I’ve bought two guns from [galleryofguns.com](http://galleryofguns.com). You put down a deposit, and they give you a list of local dealers where it can be picked up. You fill out the Firearms paperwork, they do the background check. Painless and no big deal. You even pay state sales tax when paying the balance owed on the gun. I see no reason gun shows can’t do the same or even set up a booth to do the Firearms checks. > > There’s other reasonable things that can be done without having our Federal government turn into Big Brother. No, Executive Orders are as common as lice on a dog. > **[Executive order](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_order)** > > In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of the United States Constitution gives presidents broad executive and enforcement authority to use their discretion to determine how to enforce the law or to otherwise manage the resources and staff of the federal government's executive branch. The delegation of ... > **[Executive order](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_order)** > > In the United States, an executive order is a directive by the president of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. The legal or constitutional basis for executive orders has multiple sources. Article Two of the United States Constitution gives presidents broad executive and enforcement authority to use their discretion to determine how to enforce the law or to otherwise manage the resources and staff of the federal government's executive branch. The delegation of ... Note–list is incomplete. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/17 "2013-01-10T00:22:56Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I hope so. Right now it’s just making the paranoid survivalists in Idaho look like they’ve been right all along. Should we care? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/18 "2013-01-10T00:35:08Z")
It’s going to be one drawn out legal battle. I’d speculate that Obama will direct new powers to the ATF and FBI for creating databases and tracking guns and gun owners. Something that might never get passed in Congress but Executive Orders may give him the power to do it. My dad died and left me two gun cases of mostly hunting rifles . We can’t even find the key to one of them. How in the hell am I supposed to get all those serial numbers from guns purchased forty to sixty years ago and register them with the Feds? Eventually I need to sell them. They’ve never been appraised but we’re thinking there’s at least 20 to 30 thousand or more there. Dad always bought quality and he often bought from friends at the Base’s Rod & Gun Club in the 50’s and 60’s. To get the best value I’ll need to sell them off slowly to serious collectors. No telling what will happen now with these new rules coming. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/19 "2013-01-10T01:07:47Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Should we care? Probably not. But, FTR, money is being rapidly spent to whip up a mob into a frenzy. I just got a robocall recording of a totally frantic announcer talking about how “_…Socialist Obama is taking away all our gun rights!_” :rolleyes: The only thing missing was an announcement for a gun rally… on… **Monday! Monday! Monday!!!** 😛 ---
**Author:** ![AHarris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@AHarris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHarris)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673/20 "2013-01-10T02:09:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > My dad died and left me two gun cases of mostly hunting rifles . We can’t even find the key to one of them. How in the hell am I supposed to get all those serial numbers from guns purchased forty to sixty years ago and register them with the Feds? If you’re concerned about it, I’m sure there are plenty of ways they can opened depending on the lock and the structure of the box. If I had a box that I believed would result in me going to jail, but couldn’t open, I would certainly look into getting it open. Even if this never comes to pass, it’s an excuse to get the box inventoried. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-planning-to-use-executive-orders-for-gun-control/646673.md?page=2)