WASHINGTON (KNOE 8 News & AP) - President Barack Obama is pressing Congress to take action aimed at curbing gun violence, but he's not waiting for lawmakers to act.
At a White House ceremony Wednesday, Obama announced he's issuing 23 executive orders, including measures to encourage schools to hire police officers and requiring federal agencies to make more data available for background checks. But, the president also says: "To make a lasting difference, Congress must act."
President Barack Obama is calling for universal background checks on gun buyers that would close a loophole that allows for private gun sales to occur without the checks. Obama wants Congress to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting. But even supportive lawmakers say the president's proposals - most of which are opposed by the National Rifle Association - face long odds on Capitol Hill.
Both the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate have said other issues will take priority over the gun control on their legislative agenda over the next few months. But the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says he's ready to begin hearings nonetheless.
Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont says he doesn't know if an assault weapons ban can pass the Senate but predicts measures can, including improved background checks. He's says he'll begin hearings in two weeks.
Here are the 23 Executive Orders the president issued from CNN:
1. "Issue a presidential memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system."
2. "Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system."
3. "Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system."
4. "Direct the attorney general to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks."
5. "Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun."
6. "Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers."
7. "Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign."
8. "Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission)."
9. "Issue a presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations."
10. "Release a DOJ report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement."
11. "Nominate an ATF director."
12. "Provide law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations."
13. "Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime."
14. "Issue a presidential memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence."
15. "Direct the attorney general to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies."
16. "Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes."
17. "Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities."
18. "Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers."
19. "Develop model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education."
20. "Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover."
21. "Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within ACA exchanges."
22. "Commit to finalizing mental health parity regulations."
23. "Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health."
