President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced new executive actions to deal with gun violence in America — in a speech that at times got emotional and even tearful, as Obama discussed the thousands of children injured and killed by gun violence each year.
Watch: Obama’s emotional, sometimes tearful speech for his new executive actions on guns
“Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad,” Obama said, as he wiped tears. “It happens on the streets of Chicago every day.”
The plan includes an attempt to tighten the “gun show loophole” (which allows some gun dealers to avoid carrying out background checks) and hires more staff to conduct federal background checks, among other changes.
Obama’s unilateral action comes after years of failing to spur Congress to pass legislation that would impose additional restrictions on firearms — in large part due to the powerful gun lobby and gun culture in the US.
The president has consistently cited his inability to pass significant gun control legislation as one of his greatest frustrations while in office. After multiple mass shootings, he has pleaded with the general public and Congress time and time again to support new restrictions on firearms. So it’s not too surprising that he’s now acting alone by imposing mild — but significant — tweaks to existing federal laws through his limited presidential authority.
To read more about Obama’s executive actions, check out Vox’s explainer.
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