Portrait of Barack Obama
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Barack Obama on Gun Control

Advocate for common-sense reform (strong) Position evolved

Barack Obama has been a consistent advocate for what he termed "common-sense gun reform" throughout his presidency, particularly following high-profile mass shootings. His efforts centered on pushing Congress for comprehensive legislation, including an assault weapons ban and universal background checks, though legislative success was limited.

Despite legislative hurdles, Obama took executive action to tighten existing regulations, primarily by clarifying the definition of a firearm dealer to expand background check requirements. He often framed the issue as one of public safety, contrasting the easy accessibility of firearms in the U.S. with other developed nations, while also verbally reassuring law-abiding gun owners of his respect for the Second Amendment.

His views on gun control evolved over time; while campaigning for the Senate, he took positions later used against him, like supporting a handgun ban, but as President, he focused on narrower, more popular reforms. The need for this action was frequently underscored by the high rate of gun violence during his tenure.

Timeline

  1. While running for Illinois state senator, he supported legislation to ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns on a candidate questionnaire.
  2. As a candidate for U.S. Senate, he supported restricting gun show purchases and national concealed carry laws that would prevent out-of-state permits from overriding Illinois safety laws.
  3. On the presidential campaign trail, Obama worked to reassure voters he would not take away their guns, stating, "I will not take your shotgun away. I will not take your rifle away. I won't take your handgun away…"
  4. Spurred by the Sandy Hook shooting, he urged Congress to pass significant legislation, including an assault weapons ban and background checks for all gun sales.
  5. After Congress failed to pass legislation, Obama used executive orders to tighten existing background check rules and implement other regulations.

Actions Taken

  1. Executive Action
    Outlined a 10-point plan aimed at keeping guns from prohibited individuals, centered on clarifying federal guidance on who constitutes a "dealer" required to run background checks.
  2. Executive Action/Advocacy
    Directed federal agencies to research smart gun technology to reduce accidental shootings and asked Congress for $500 million for mental health care.
  3. Executive Action/Advocacy
    Signed 23 executive orders and outlined proposals for sweeping gun control measures, including urging Congress to reintroduce a ban on military-style assault weapons and cap ammunition magazines after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
  4. Executive Action
    Announced new executive actions to extend background check requirements to more gun sellers.
  5. Legislative Position
    Supported several gun-control laws while running for U.S. Senate, including restricting weapon/ammunition sales at gun shows and making gun locks mandatory.

Key Quotes

I will not take your shotgun away. I will not take your rifle away. I won't take your handgun away… There are common sense gun safety laws that I believe in.

Rural Virginia campaign rally September 1, 2008 — Reassuring voters about gun ownership during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Every country has violent, hateful or mentally unstable people. What's different is not every country is awash with easily accessible guns.

Speech to the International Association of Chiefs of Police October 1, 2015 — Urging mayors to support gun control measures.

We do not have to accept this carnage as the price of freedom.

Public statement following a mass shooting January 1, 2016 — Arguing against accepting gun violence as inevitable.

Related Positions

  • second-amendment Obama repeatedly stated his respect for the Second Amendment while advocating for what he considered balanced regulations.
  • mental-health-policy His gun control plans included calls for increased funding and research for mental health services.

Criticism

Gun rights groups, Republicans, and some Democrats

Argued that Obama's executive actions on gun control represented executive overreach and bypassed the legislative branch's authority.

National Rifle Association (NRA)

Claimed President Obama's 'obsession with gun control knows no boundaries.'

Comparison

  • Advocacy vs. Legislation: He advocated for significant restrictions, such as an assault weapons ban, but only two laws impacting gun carrying were passed by Congress during his tenure, neither of which restricted gun owners.
  • Focus Shift: Following the collapse of bipartisan legislative efforts after Sandy Hook, his focus shifted more heavily toward executive actions and encouraging broader cultural support for reform.