Obama Hints at Possible Executive Order on Gun Control in his Speech in Mexico

May 4, 2013

tags: barack obama, drug cartels, gun control, mexico, politics

Greg Campbell

5/3/2013

At a speech in Mexico City, Mexico, today, President Obama discussed the violence fostered by Mexican drug cartels and cited “gun smuggling” as a cause of the bloodshed while omitting the significant role his administration has played in fueling the carnage through Fast and Furious.

Further, speaking to our neighbors to the South, Obama pledged that he would do “everything in [his] power” to pass gun control legislation, possibly signaling an intent to rule via executive order on the matter.

Obama spoke to students in Mexico City about a range of issues including his promise to pass immigration reform and to enact gun control policies. In Mexico, it’s estimated that up to 60,000 people have died in the last four years due to gun violence that has largely been fostered by drug wars between heavily-armed rival cartels.

Speaking of Americans, Obama stated,

“We recognize that most of the guns used to commit violence here in Mexico come from the United States. In America, our Constitution guarantees our individual right to bear arms, and as President I swore an oath to uphold that right—and I always will. At the same time, as I’ve said back home, I will continue to do everything in my power to pass common sense gun reforms that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people—reforms that will save lives in both our countries. Meanwhile, we’ll keep increasing the pressure on the gun traffickers who bring illegal guns into Mexico, and we’ll keep putting these criminals where they belong—behind bars.”

However, in truth, if Mr. Obama were interested in pursuing those who illegally aid in the supply of the “military-style assault weapons” that he and his administration so loathe, he would not cloak Attorney General Eric Holder in executive privilege to shield him from prosecution in his role in Fast and Furious which pumped thousands of weapons to drug cartels.

Instead, President Obama never mentioned Fast and Furious or his administration’s role in the violence that haunts Americans and Mexicans near the border. The investigation of the ATF operation that resulted in hundreds of deaths in Mexico and the murder of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry has been stonewalled by officials within the Obama Administration, but documents show that the ATF tried to use the operation to make the case for stricter gun regulation. While the potential false-flag operation failed due to the operation’s exposure, President Obama has still cited gun violence in Mexico as a compelling reason for stricter gun control measures.

Yesterday, President Obama gave a similarly-themed speech where he called the recent failures to pass gun control legislation the “first round” and pledged to keep pushing his agenda:

“The last time we had major gun legislation it took six, seven, eight tries to get passed. Things happen somewhat slowly in Washington, but this is just the first round.”

Obama has hinted that he is eager to pass legislation through the legislative body but has, seemingly, warmed to the idea that gun control measures can be enacted through executive orders. In January, Obama signed 23 executive orders concerning gun control and has hinted at his belief that such power resides in the executive.

Saturday, May 4, 2013