Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Obama pressures Congress to act swiftly on gun control

Details

  • Description

    President makes pitch to American public

  • Duration 7:27
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

-- news alert on the next step in possible changes to our Second Amendment Rights.

As President Obama makes his case for gun control in America.

Welcome to America live everyone -- Megyn Kelly.

The president wrapping up remarks just a short time ago to an audience that included family members of the Newtown Connecticut victims.

As well as gun safety advocates law enforcement.

And four children who wrote him letters in the wake of the new -- tragedy.

He signed 23 separate executive actions on gun violence and that essentially told congress that they have to pick up the ball from here.

This is our first task is a society.

Keeping our children safe.

In the month since morning precious children and six brave adults were violently taken from us -- sandy hook elementary.

More than 900.

Of our fellow Americans have reportedly died at the end of -- -- These are -- few of the 23 executive actions that I'm announcing today but as important as these steps are.

They are in no way a substitute.

For action for members of congress congress should restore ban on military style assault weapons.

And a ten round limit for magazines.

And finally congress needs to help rather than hinder law enforcement is about.

Its job.

Chris dial up is -- Fox -- digital politics editor and host a power play on foxnews.com.

So Chris the president outlined -- -- numerous executive actions that he wants taken and that will be taken and as we discussed yesterday.

They don't sound particularly controversial it's that second part that we just played.

The push for legislative action on matters that are controversial that is likely to make the headlines over the coming days and weeks now.

No absolutely and if you look at what was in there.

It wasn't a lot and look there are some things that could be.

Far reaching.

But then it also includes other things like reiterating that his 2010.

Health insurance entitlement program that he calls Obama care.

That that doesn't prevent doctors from saying bad from.

Releasing some of these mental health condition.

To prevent them from getting -- -- Well that doesn't do anything that doesn't mean anything that's just reiterating so a lot of this.

Was.

But -- and fluff that is if you wanted to have signing these things I'm doing these things.

But he made it very clear very very clear that what he means to do is turn the pressure up on congress starting with his own party I'm sure.

To pass a -- -- Some and and you know we heard precious little.

In the executive actions or their remarks today about the mental health system I guess they're gonna study it.

That the CDC is gonna study yet they that they they may studied video games if they get the money.

That the president wants them to get ten million from congress as well.

But this was all focused on guns and and the push that he's gonna make legislatively will look from the sound of it.

Very much like the assault weapons ban that was in place from 94 to 2004 but perhaps stronger.

It sounds like it he wants to strengthen that was the word that was used strengthen out of the White House the bill that's been proposed by senator Dianne Feinstein.

Yeah and if he got what he wanted it would be the farthest reaching -- -- -- form of gun control.

That we've seen.

And you know the interesting thing for the president.

Is this.

We know where the Republicans are by the Republicans don't want gun -- they're open to some background check kind of stuff for some things that streamline and make more effective or deal with mental health.

But when it comes to -- particular weapons.

Outside of the longstanding preexisting ban against automatic weapons.

It's up to the president now he really wants to get this done to keep the pressure on members of his own party who were backed by the NRA.

Remember the NRA it's 60% of everybody's in congress -- that includes a lot of Democrats got money from the NRA didn't.

And Harry Reid.

Was suggesting yesterday that they don't have the votes in the senate that this legislation would have to start the senate.

And he doesn't have the votes he he has the majority the Democrats -- And he has -- the votes Chris this legislation isn't going anywhere so how much of today's proceedings.

Were for the benefit of those Democrats who who may not be on board with the president's plan right now.

Harry Reid Joseph Manchin from West Virginia Bob Casey from Pennsylvania.

-- the -- for the president now.

It is to find these NRA backed Democrats and squeeze them and put the pressure on and say.

Gary young come from when I bring little children up here to talk about school play shootings.

While I could do it in your state -- I could do it where you live and I can come and I can keep the pressure on you until you agree.

To do some kind of a gun ban until you get on board because remember that's -- and you you've hit it right on the head.

If the president can't get legislation out of the senate he can't begin to apply pressure on the -- he can talk about it.

But until the senate can actually move legislation it's not gonna works -- somebody like Joseph mansion who we first met on the national scene shooting.

With a deer rifle the president's cap and trade bill back in 2010.

You have if if he can't get guys like that.

To sign up and get on board nothing's gonna happen side that -- I bet he'll come with a pretty heavy hand.

He was for a guy Joseph Manson mentioned you're -- West Virginia guy is well that's -- is is not gonna get behind the gun ban you tell me if I'm wrong but.

What are the odds of Joseph mansion doing a reversal on the senate has been some language that he said that he has been the more moderate on the issue but.

What are the odds of that happening.

Well there's a term that we have in West Virginia it's called to crawfish he's crawfish and that means that we use when you move back real slow.

And you I didn't use half and you and you can you crawfish back out of something.

And it is possible that you could crawfish on something like this and you could say that in the wake of this the other thing wherever he just got reelected he's got six years to try to make good.

If he's if he thinks this is the case Casey in Pennsylvania.

-- somebody the president give much more pressure too because well a lot of estate looks a lot like West Virginia.

Lot of his state -- apple lacking in Western Pennsylvania we know loves -- and we know is it Second Amendment enthusiastic.

Region.

Philadelphia.

A lot of -- bad enthusiasts there in the metro Philly area so that could be a lot of pressure for Casey for -- I don't know what.

These guys put themselves on the line and take a vote like that when they probably.

Do not see it passing in the house so -- you're really exposed -- sort of like when.

Policy tried to push cap and trade through the house -- people to these dangerous votes and there weren't the votes in the senate.

And as a reverse of these cable is sent don't think -- the -- in the house why would they wanna do this.

Well because they want the president to stop beating up on him and to stop pressuring them and to stop -- school children out.

And stop asking why they don't care about gun violence and -- -- -- -- front we have never seen the president.

Do much in terms of policing his own party -- for -- you know women while will the president get them to move on entitlement reform and what's he gonna get them to do.

We've his presence kept most of its focus on Republicans throughout his time but in this case if he wants pressure on Republicans.

He's got to get these moderate Democrats from his red states to move first.

He's got to get them to go first he's got to get Harry Reid to go first so today was a warning.

-- -- a politically he would love to going to the 2014 mid terms by saying once again those house Republicans.

You know.

Did the wrong thing and the president's view but right now the way it's looking he's not -- -- would do that because the democratically controlled senate does not appear on board right now are Chris thanks.

You bet.

Load More