Obama describes assault weapons loophole as ‘insane’

In a sombre weekly address Barack Obama described a loophole in America’s gun laws that allow a person on the no-fly list to buy an assault weapon as “insane.” The President was talking in the wake of the San Bernardino shootings that left 14 people dead and have been called an “act of terrorism.” The killers, U.S.-born Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik, had two assault-style rifles, two semi-automatic handguns, 6,100 rounds of ammunition and 12 pipe bombs in their home.

For example, right now, people on the no-fly list can walk into a store and buy a gun. That is insane. If you are too dangerous to board a plane, you are too dangerous by definition to buy a gun. I am calling on Congress to close this loophole now.

President Obama

The nation has been transfixed by coverage of the San Bernardino attacks. Obama, already facing scrutiny for his strategy in Syria, has been criticized by Republicans for initially focusing on the issue of gun control after the attacks. Obama has been frustrated by his failure to convince Congress to pass tougher gun laws despite a series of horrific mass shootings during his time in office. The New York Times Saturday published an editorial on its front page for the first time since 1920, using the rare, prominent placement to urge gun control and lash out at politicians following the attacks.

It is a moral outrage and a national disgrace that civilians can legally purchase weapons designed specifically to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency.

New York Times editorial

Politics obama guns