Something...But Not Enough

After the disgusting and tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT there was an outcry to do something.  To start a dialog.  To institute some regulations.  To do something!  So VP Biden chaired a commission and came up with recommendations.  By Washington DC standards it really happened pretty fast.  And I've got to say, I think many of the recommendations make sense...or at least are not hurtful.  There is also a lot of fluff.  Things that are easy or inconsequential. The proposal is copied below with my comments.

As you will surmise, I don't think it's enough and is missing two key provisions.  Oh, the gun stuff probably is.  He's probably gone as far as he can given political resistance and strong lobbying from groups like the NRA.  As I've said in other posts,  I believe in the second amendment, but we need some sensible regulations.  These proposals start to move in the right direction.

But there are two things missing, or at least glossed over.  First is the mental health stuff.  What we do as a country to improve handling of mental health issues needs dramatic improvement.  All of the mass shootings were obviously done by guys with severe mental problems.  Not sure this is a federal issue, but the feds could provide some much needed direction and coordination.

Second is video games.  Some of these things are heinous.  They impact young minds in a dark manner.  Same with some movies.  These things cry out for stronger regulations.  But we all know Obama is in the pocket of the entertainment industry.  So maybe not a surprise.  But the omission is a big miss.

Finally, as usual everything Obama does has to be a campaign event.  The visual of him being surrounded by kids was unseemly.  It didn't work.  It was a mistake.  He needs to rethink some of these things.

Published: January 16, 2013
What’s in Obama’s Gun Control Proposal
The initiative to reduce gun violence announced by President Obama on Wednesday includes both legislative proposals that would need to be acted on by Congress and executive actions he can do on his own. Many of the executive actions involve the president directing agencies to do a better job of sharing information.
Proposed Congressional Actions
• Requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales, including those by private sellers that currently are exempt.  A no brainer.  Of course this makes sense.
• Reinstating and strengthening the ban on assault weapons that was in place from 1994 to 2004.  I have no problem with this.  But some will.  Makes sense to me though.
• Limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.  Again, no problem.
• Banning the possession of armor-piercing bullets by anyone other than members of the military and law enforcement.  Of course.  Why would the average citizen need these?
• Increasing criminal penalties for "straw purchasers," people who pass the required background check to buy a gun on behalf of someone else.  Yes.
• Acting on a $4 billion administration proposal to help keep 15,000 police officers on the street.  Okay.  But not really a Federal issue.
• Confirming President Obama's nominee for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Fluff.
• Eliminating a restriction that requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to allow the importation of weapons that are more than 50 years old.  Don't get this one.
• Financing programs to train more police officers, first responders and school officials on how to respond to active armed attacks.  Good idea, but a Federal issue?
• Provide additional $20 million to help expand the a system that tracks violent deaths across the nation from 18 states to 50 states.  Fluff
• Providing $30 million in grants to states to help schools develop emergency response plans.  Federal issue?  I don't think so'
• Providing financing to expand mental health programs for young people.  Absolutely.  But doesn't go far enough and is not specific enough.
Executive actions
• Issuing a presidential memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.  Fluff
• Addressing 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.  Fluff
• Improving incentives for states to share information with the background check system.  Fluff
• Directing the attorney general to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.  Vague
• Proposing a rule making to give law enforcement authorities the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.  Good idea
• Publishing a letter from the A.T.F. to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers. Good idea but minor
• Starting a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.  Fluff
• Reviewing safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).  Fluff
• Issuing a presidential memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations. Obvious
• Releasing a report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and making it widely available to law enforcement authorities.  Fluff
• Nominating an A.T.F. director. Huh?  Why is this here?
• Providing law enforcement authorities, first responders and school officials with proper training for armed attacks situations.  Federal issue?  i don't think so
• Maximizing enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.  Fluff
• Issuing a presidential memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research gun violence.  Fluff
• Directing the attorney general to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenging the private sector to develop innovative technologies.  Fluff
• Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes. Fluff
• Releasing a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities. Fluff
• Providing incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.
• Developing model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education. Not a Federal function
• Releasing a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.  Has potential to help, but won't
• Finalizing regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within insurance exchanges. Fluff
• Committing to finalizing mental health parity regulations.  Vague
• Starting a national dialogue on mental health led by Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, and Arne Duncan, the secretary of education.  Fluff