US: Obama to pass law on gun control without Congress

US President Barack Obama has announced plans to by pass Congress and pass laws on gun control.

In his first weekly address for 2016, President Obama,elaborated on “progress” made in healthcare, job creation and equality issues during his years in office but said the issue of gun control was an “unfinished business” “We know that we can’t stop every act of violence. But what if we tried to stop even one? What if Congress did something – anything – to protect our kids from gun violence?” said Obama.

Epidermic of gun violence

President Obama admonished Congress on it’s failure to act on reforms to address what he called the “epidemic of gun violence”. He said he had received several letters from parents, teachers and children and will go heard to veto a law because a “commonsense bill would have required background checks for virtually everyone who buys a gun”.

President Obama said he will meet with Attorney General to discuss the options.

“A few months ago, I directed my team at the White House to look into any new actions I can take to help reduce gun violence. And on Monday, I’ll meet with our Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, to discuss our options. Because I get too many letters from parents, and teachers, and kids, to sit around and do nothing.”

Obama has repeatedly called on Congress to tighten gun laws, after the shooting incidences in Newtown, Connecticut, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and San Bernardino, California to name a few.

After the San Bernardino attacks, in which 14 people were killed and left 21 injured in December, US lawmakers in the Senate debated on gun control but failed to advance any legislation to address the problem.

President Obama vowed to use “whatever power this office holds” to put in place gun control measures via executive action.

Meanwhile, in Texas a new law that allows the open carrying on handguns came into effect on January 1, 2015. licensed Texans for the first time since 1871 can carry a holstered pistol in public under an “open carry” law passed in the Republican-dominated 2015 legislative session.

Under the new law, nearly 1 million people in Texas who have passed a required safety course and have a concealed handgun permit are allowed to carry holstered handguns.