President Barack Obama says he will take unilateral action to tackle the problem of gun violence in the US. In his first weekly address of 2016, Mr Obama said he will meet Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss actions he could take.
He said he is using his executive powers as president because the US Congress has failed to address the problem. Analysts say there will be a backlash from gun activists and Republicans. But Mr Obama told Americans that he has received too many letters from parents, teachers, and children, to sit around and do nothing. He has admitted that his inability to win Congressional backing for what he called “common sense gun laws” is the greatest frustration of his Presidency.
According to the BBC, the President could use his executive authority in several areas, including expanding new background check requirements for buyers who purchase weapons from high-volume dealers. However, he is likely to face stiff opposition to his plans.