I have been intending to write an article revolving around the current gun control issue, but with today’s announcement of President Obama’s 23 “executive actions” concerning the issue, I can wait no longer as his list contains some very troubling aspects. Is this the big gun grab that so many have feared? Or, is this a legitimate effort to protect Americans? My opinion is that it is neither. At least not completely. I do see some elements that could be considered legitimate and good, however, I see many more that could easily lead to the abolishment of the Second Amendment as we (and our founding fathers) know it.

I believe, as I said, that Obama’s list of executive actions reveals quite a bit about what we can expect regarding our Second Amendment rights and his gun control agenda, so let’s take a look at them.

1. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.

This is the first mention in these 23 “executive actions” of the “Federal Background Check System.” Translation: Federal Gun Registration of all LEGAL gun owners. I emphasize the word “legal” here, since clearly criminals do not and will not ever register their guns, or participate in any background checks related to the guns they possess. More importantly, it is not the criminals who would or will take up arms against a tyrannical government (with the possible exception of the white supremacist hate groups), therefore, it is not the criminal element the government is truly concerned with. In fact, common sense tells us that if crime were actually wiped out, even if 50 % of all crime were to be eliminated, the economic ramifications to governmental agencies would be terrifying (to them)! A huge number of governmental agencies would no longer be able to justify their existence, and many more would be forced to drastically scale back their operations. Hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of governmental employees (federal, state, county and city) would have to be laid off. Entire companies and corporations would suffer the same fate. We must face facts, crime is big business, and although many prisons are bursting at the seams, crime does pay – and it pays well to both sides legal fence. Think about it. Crime is not, I repeat, NOT, the primary issue here. Like I said, think about it.

2. Address 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.

At first glance, this hardly seems applicable to the issue of gun control. The HIPAA act? Doesn’t that have to do with the privacy of your medical information? In a word, yes. However, that privacy is not as restricted as you might think, and as you read on, you will (or should) realize just how and why your medical information and the HIPAA act are integral to Obama’s gun control agenda.

3. Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.

On the surface, this could be a good idea. That is, of course, assuming that Obama’s gun control agenda is a constitutionally legitimate one. One that has the purpose of ensuring the safety of the American people. When taken in the context of Obama’s entire 23 executive actions statement, it does not appear to serve the greater good, as will be seen.

4. Direct the Attorney General to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.

Think about this for a brief minute. The Attorney General is Eric Holder. He authorized the sale of firearms to straw purchasers who then smuggled those firearms to Mexico and into the hands of violent and vicious drug cartel members. Eric Holder. Fast and Furious. And he is going to decide which Americans should be allowed to own or possess a gun? What could possibly go wrong here?

5. Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.

This is nothing more than a method for registering every single gun and legal gun owner in America. When combined with the points I’ve already commented on, and those left on Obama’s list here, it is clear that this is exactly what this is.

6. Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.

Note the language here: “background checks for private sellers.” In other words, you may not sell or give away any firearm in your possession unless you do so through a federally licensed gun dealer. This has nothing to do with going to your local Walmart or Sporting Goods store to purchase a firearm. This relates only to a gun owner privately selling his or her privately owned firearm to another individual. This is clearly a method of registering firearms currently in the hands of private law abiding citizens.

7. Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.

This is known as a hunter safety course, and is already in place. Launching a “national” program run by the feds is simply a method of nationalizing hunter safety; which of course means more money for the feds, less money for other groups who currently run hunter safety courses, and which will also provide the federal government an opening for introducing all manner of propaganda to unsuspecting students. Once this takes effect, I would look for further legislation (likely via executive order) requiring enrollment in such a course as a prerequisite for purchasing a firearm.

8. Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

On the surface, this sounds like a good idea. Kind of a touchy feely type of presidential decree designed to pacify both sides of the political fence. However, when combined with the next executive action listed by President Obama (#9 below), it could easily be used against law abiding gun owners.

9. Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.

This could be used to criminalize gun ownership, even if your gun has been stolen. For example, if your gun is stolen, and your stolen gun is used in a crime, can you be held accountable along with the criminal who used your stolen gun, much in the same way you could be held liable if you continue to serve alcohol to an already inebriated person who then drives, gets into an accident and kills someone? Much in the same way parents can be held criminally liable for the actions of their minor (under the age of 18 or 19) children? This could be especially true if you haven’t adhered to the standards set forth in number 8 above? What a financial windfall for the federal government! Hold the original owners of guns used in crimes financially accountable! Not just open to civil litigation filed by victims of those crimes, BUT ALSO liable for paying into victims assistance programs – FEDERAL VICTIMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS – another taxpayer funded piggy bank just like social security!

10. Release a DOJ report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement.

A seemingly pointless (and expensive) point, unless taken in combination with the two executive actions immediately above.

11. Nominate an ATF director.

Really? Apparently it takes the massacre of school children to get Obama to do what he should have already done. Of course, it also helps Obama force his choice for ATF director on Congress, and get that person confirmed that much sooner, by politicizing the issue. Any congressman or congresswoman who fails to confirm Obama’s nominee will be seen as being anti-gun control and in favor of putting more school children at risk. Obama’s current choice is B. Todd Jones, who has been linked to the Fast and Furious scandal. ’Nuff said.

12. Provide law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.

This sort of training is already in place, or is at least already available. Especially since the Sandy Hook tragedy. IN making this “executive action,” however, Obama is announcing his intention to nationalize this form of training and place it completely in the hands of the federal government. This would not only take it out of the hands of the individual states and/or local jurisdictions, but would also place the federal government in direct competition with several private companies that provide this type of training.

13. Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.

I believe this is what Chicago has been doing for quite some time. Factual statistics have proven that “maximized enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime” have not worked, do not work, will not work, and cannot work.

14. Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.

Bad people do bad things. There, the first part of this is done, and without the need for a Presidential Memorandum! How to prevent it? Let’s look at Chicago (since Obama thinks Chicago is the poster child for how America should be). If the federal government regulates guns to point of virtually making all private gun ownership illegal, then firearm related crimes will drop dramatically, and possibly cease altogether. Right? Unfortunately, history has proven time and again that this just isn’t true. If gun control, even excessive gun control actually worked, there would be no firearm related crimes in Chicago, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in America. However, as we have recently learned, it doesn’t work! In Chicago alone, 532 people were shot to death in Chicago last year. Gun control, even excessive gun control doesn’t work! The government (federal, state, whatever) has not been able to stop gun violence after more than a century of trying (the first gun control law was passed in 1837 in Georgia – banning handguns. It was ruled unconstitutional and repealed). What makes them think they can do it now? Involving the Centers for Disease Control in this process also presents some interesting issues, which will be discussed below.

15. Direct the Attorney General to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies.

Legal gun enthusiasts already read just about everything available on gun safety technologies. Magazines such as Gun Digest, American Handgunner, Combat handguns, Gun World, Gun Hunter, Guns & Ammo, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Shooting Times, and others all feature up-to-date articles highlighting gun safety technologies, and have for years. This executive action is a waste of time and taxpayer money. Nothing more than expensive smoke and mirrors. It will do nothing other than give the federal government an opportunity to say, “We’ve tried everything, and nothing is working, so let’s just ban all guns period.”

16. Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.

17. Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.

The problems with numbers 16 & 17 should be obvious. Not only are they a way to build a database of all legal gun owners in the United States, but on a more ominous note, Obama is reminding health care providers of their obligation to report any threat of “violence to law enforcement authorities.” If your doctor believes (as some liberals do) that merely owning a gun makes you a threat, and your doctor then reports you as such, you can expect a visit from said law enforcement who will be visiting you while taking the standard precautions taken by all law enforcement in similar situations. If a threat is present (that would be you), and responding law enforcement is in danger (because you are threat, remember), they will likely execute a no-knock warrant with guns drawn. Any resistance will be met with overwhelming force, you will be arrested, questioned, and undergo a psychiatric evaluation. While this is happening your home will be searched and all firearms and/or potential weapons (which will include your computer) will be confiscated, and good luck trying to get any of it back.

18. Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.

I know I said at the outset that I did see some good in this list, well, here it is. Putting an armed guard in every school will definitely reduce mass shootings in schools. Of course, most conservatives have been saying this very thing since Sandy Hook, however, since it really is the only thing that will work it is only natural that Obama take credit for coming up with the idea. Sort of like the bin Laden deal.

19. Develop model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.

Here is another one that is not a bad idea, as long as these model emergency response plans are easy to understand, easy to implement, and don’t entail any unnecessary federal involvement. Explain what to do, explain how to acquire the resources and then get out of the way and stay out of the way. Simple.

20. Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.

Just in case the multitude of federal guidelines issued to all state health officials that explain ad infinitum and ad nauseum the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover hasn’t been enough. Send ‘em out again! Another pointless executive action, unless… (see below)

21. Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within ACA exchanges.

22. Commit to finalizing mental health parity regulations.

23. Launch a national dialogue led by Secretaries Sebelius and Duncan on mental health.

Numbers 20, 21, 22, & 23: Obamacare rears its ugly head again! What’s interesting here is, however, the focus on mental health, ie: what is covered, what must be covered, see #16 & 17, and, I am sure, what is DEFINED as mental illness. Uh, oh! What is a mental illness? The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), published by the American Psychiatric Association and currently in its fourth edition (DSM IV) is the “bible” of mental disorders. It not only lists just what is (or is not) a mental disorder, but also lists criteria used to diagnose mental disorders. For the most part it could be a useful tool for mental health professionals (I promise not to allow my personal opinions of mental health professionals and practices to take over this article!), however, we must remember that it is not fool proof. Its contents are not written in stone, and are subject to change based on the current sociopolitical climate. Allow me to explain. Homosexuality was considered a mental disorder, and was listed as such in the DSM up until 1973 when homosexuality started to “come out of the closet” and become more socially acceptable, and pro-gay activists became more militant. Then, with just a quick swipe of the metaphorical pen, homosexuality is no longer a mental disorder.

Gender identity disorder is no longer considered a mental disorder – sorry Cpl. Klinger; and also Narcissistic, Paranoid, Schizoid, Histrionic and Dependent Personality Disorders will be dropped in the next edition, the DSM-V. Congrats to all schizoid’s, in just a few months you’ll no longer be crazy according to the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

But with the inclusion of executive actions 20-23 (as well as numbers 16&17) by President Obama, who is to say that a revised DSM will not include something along the lines of “Contra-Governmental Paranoia Disorder” to describe those who profess a distrust of the federal government, or possibly “Post-Military-Adjustment-Disorder” (PMAD) to describe veterans. If the APA were to include disorders such as these, the federal government could very easily make a legitimate (in their own eyes) case for making those diagnosed as such ineligible for owning or possessing any firearm of any kind. And while those of you currently suffering from what I call “Liberal Proclivity Disorder” are snickering at this conclusion, take note of some of the new disorders that are to be included in the DSM-V, such as: Binge eating disorder (you may be able to sue McDonalds for making you fat), Internet use gaming disorder (it’s not my fault I lost my mortgage payments playing Texas Hold’Em), Non-suicidal self-injury (dropped a hammer on your foot, no guns for you!), Hoarding disorder (your garage is too full of crap – no guns for you either!). Just sayin’.

As we can see, these 23 “executive actions” of Obama’s quite clearly set the stage for what I believe will be the total abolishment of the Second Amendment. It will not be an immediate confiscation of all privately owned firearms, as such an act would surely create such a violent reaction amongst the population that it would easily fail. No, the American people while far too apathetic, are not dead. Yet. A slow, subtle approach, however, will accomplish the same thing, and I believe that is what Obama and his socialist cronies are striving for.

I think we can expect that some guns will be banned outright, something that President Obama indicated today when he called for a ban on military style assault weapons and magazines holding more than 10 rounds. This seems to be nothing more than a ban on AR-15’s and similar rifles, but I believe it is actually only the beginning of what will ultimately be a complete ban of all privately owned firearms. Other types of semi-automatic firearms may not be banned outright, but we can likely expect they will be heavily regulated (as will ammunition, and accessories such as scopes, laser sights, flash suppressors, etc.) to the point that they will become too expensive for most people. I think we can also look forward to a mandatory registration requirement just to purchase ammunition and accessories; or possibly a national database upon which one’s name must appear in order to purchase, own or possess firearms, ammunition or accessories. Should this national database become a reality, of course, anyone caught in possession of a firearm, ammunition or firearm accessory could be arrested and prosecuted. Again, this is pure supposition, but in light of Obama’s 23 executive actions as released today, it is certainly within the realm of possibility.

And where does this leave the law-abiding gun owner? Eventually, I think we will reach the point where the law-abiding gun owners will have to make a choice – either comply with the orders of an increasingly tyrannical administration or become a felon. Door-to-door confiscation will not likely take place, however, as I have already stated, but there are ways to confiscate guns and ban the private ownership of guns that may take a bit of time to accomplish, but will be every bit as effective as an immediate gun grab. And let us not forget Obama’s “if you see something, say something” federal snitch program, which is sure to play an increasingly larger role in Obama’s gun control agenda.

And what of state’s rights? I don’t think this will actually become an issue. To be sure, some states are already promising to jail any federal employee attempting to enforce the new federal gun control laws, however, as we all know, state law cannot supersede federal law, other than to make it more strict; and attempts to secede from the union by peaceful means have already failed, with the Obama administration denying each and every secession petition just within the past few days. And if the states, any states attempt to stop Obama’s gradual gun grab, the federal government can easily stop them by simply withholding federal funds. It sounds like an overly simplistic solution, but we must admit that the individual states are more than a little beholden to the federal governments financial assistance, and it goes far beyond highway funds. During the civil war the practice was known as blockading. Same thing as withholding financial assistance, and the states, I assure you, will cave if it ever got that far (which I don’t think it will).

Will there be a revolution, or even an armed rebellion? I doubt it. The resources of the federal government far exceed any state or private resources that could be mustered to ensure a successful rebellion. Any such attempt would be brought down before it could even get started; and in all honesty, it is those who advocate such rebellion that will cause any such movement to fail.

On that note, I feel I must interject briefly into this article, some commentary on the stupidity of those who openly advocate rebellion. I am constantly amazed at these people. They repeatedly announce to the world (and the federal government) that this is what they intend! They post their intentions on their facebook walls, they tweet their intentions, they literally announce them all over the internet! Have these people ever heard of operational security or situational awareness? Do they really think that no one is watching? Do they really think the government doesn’t monitor blogs and social media (as well as email, and other electronic conversations)? The government has already announced, many times over, that this is exactly what they are doing! These people remind me of the character Edgar in the first Men In Black film. Edgar grabs his shotgun and goes to investigate the crash landing of an alien spacecraft on his property. The alien tells Edgar to drop his shotgun, and Edgar racks a round and with a voice full of bravado announces, “you can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead hands!” To which the alien responds, “Your proposition is acceptable” and promptly eats Edgar. This is what those who openly advocate for rebellion are doing! My advice – don’t be an Edgar! You will lose!

As I said, the federal government has vast resources at its disposal to put down any armed rebellion, and will do so without hesitation and without mercy. To be sure there are some who will not take up arms against their fellow citizens, but at the same time there are many more who will do so without a moments hesitation. To think otherwise is pure folly.

The ways and means of mounting an effective rebellion are not part of this article, nor will I write about such nonsense to be posted on the internet. I, for one, have no intention of encouraging sedition or treason, nor will I encourage anyone to engage in such folly; however, I do believe the time will come when small loosely organized groups of individuals will attempt it, and it will be a sad day indeed. The best I can hope for is a return to common sense, and a prayer for the safety of our country and my fellow Americans, for if and when such a day occurs we will all suffer together as the Jews suffered in Nazi Germany. This is my opinion, and I pray that time will prove me wrong.

Not a very uplifting message, not very encouraging, I know, but this is the way I see the gun control scenario playing out. I guess the best advice I can offer in this whole situation is, pray for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Categories: Barack Obama, Gun Control, Guns, Liberty, Obama, Obamacare, Politics, U.S. Constitution, Weapons

Tags: Government, gun control, Guns, Politics