Visiting the chilly climes of Minnesota yesterday, President Obama sought to put pressure on Congress to pass some form of gun control. It was part of his Party’s ongoing effort to do something – or at least appear to be doing something – to curb violence in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings. Speaking from a podium at the Minneapolis Police Department Special Operations Center, the president noted, "Real and lasting change requires Congress to do its part and do it soon."
Minnesota is a state with plenty of wilderness and a population that, by and large, has a fondness for the outdoors and hunting. Despite that fact, there has been more talk of late of gun control measures in the state. Such discussions were especially elevated in the wake of a September 27 mass shooting at Accent Signage Systems that left six dead in Minneapolis. Obama was pushing specifically for criminal background checks as part of making a gun purchase. He noted that there "is no reason we can’t get that done."
Obama also noted that he wanted a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, noting, "Weapons of war have no place on our streets or in our schools or threatening our law enforcement officers," Obama said. It is the move from the seemingly sensible background check issue to that of banning semi-automatic assault-looking rifles that Obama is likely to lose a lot of support, including in most states where gun ownership and enthusiasm is high. Obama has conceded that his is an uphill battle, but to critics said, "There's no legislation to eliminate all guns, no legislation being proposed to subvert the Second Amendment."
Minnesota is a state with plenty of wilderness and a population that, by and large, has a fondness for the outdoors and hunting. Despite that fact, there has been more talk of late of gun control measures in the state. Such discussions were especially elevated in the wake of a September 27 mass shooting at Accent Signage Systems that left six dead in Minneapolis. Obama was pushing specifically for criminal background checks as part of making a gun purchase. He noted that there "is no reason we can’t get that done."
Obama also noted that he wanted a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, noting, "Weapons of war have no place on our streets or in our schools or threatening our law enforcement officers," Obama said. It is the move from the seemingly sensible background check issue to that of banning semi-automatic assault-looking rifles that Obama is likely to lose a lot of support, including in most states where gun ownership and enthusiasm is high. Obama has conceded that his is an uphill battle, but to critics said, "There's no legislation to eliminate all guns, no legislation being proposed to subvert the Second Amendment."