Do What You Have To Do, Mr. President

President Obama will consider using executive orders to curb gun violence in this country should congress fail to act.

Vice President Biden made this declaration during Wednesday’s session of his administrative panel which is charged with offering recommendations on how to stem the rising tide of gun violence in this country.

“Every once in a while there’s something that awakens the conscience of the country, and that tragic event (Sandy Hook massacre) did in a way like nothing I’ve seen in my career” said Biden.  “The president and I are determined to take action.”

Biden did not specify what administrative measures the president might take.

Naturally the vice president’s declaration was met by a groundswell of opposition from the right.  Most common were comparisons of the administration to Nazi Germany.

It is uncertain what measures the president can indeed take without getting congressional approval.  But we would encourage him to use the power of his office in any way possible to curb the senseless violence that is rampant in our country.

As we wrote yesterday, there is little point in expecting any substantive gun reform to come from this congress.  They are wedded to power of the NRA checkbook.  They dance to the beat of the false assertion that the government is coming for their guns…when to do so would be like trying to implement prohibition to stop drunk driving.  The assertion is ridiculous.

According to the Associated press 85 Americans will die today from gunshot wounds.  85 more will die tomorrow…and the day after that…and the day after that…  If the president has it within his power to at least slow down that repetitive cycle, he should do it. 

This debate is not about politics or constitutional rights.  It is really about the type of nation we want to be.  And most Americans, including law abiding responsible gun owners, do not believe in a nation where freedom means a Glock in every school room and an armed guard at the door of every church, synagogue and mosque.

Do what you have to do, Mr. President.