WORLD NEWS: US -Obama to take unilateral action on US gun violence

President Obama has said he will take unilateral action to tackle the problem of gun violence in the US.

In his first weekly address of 2016, Mr Obama said he would meet Attorney General Loretta Lynch to discuss actions he could take.

He said he was using his executive powers as president because the US Congress has failed to address the problem.

Analysts say there will be a backlash from gun activists and Republicans.

But Mr Obama told Americans that he had received too many letters from parents, and teachers, and children, to sit around and do nothing.

"We know that we can't stop every act of violence," the president said. "But what if we tried to stop even one? What if Congress did something - anything - to protect our kids from gun violence?"

He has admitted that his inability to win Congressional backing for what he called "common sense gun laws" was the greatest frustration of his presidency.

Correspondents in Washington say the president could use his executive authority in several areas, including expanding new background check requirements for buyers who purchase weapons from high-volume dealers.

However he is likely to face stiff opposition to his plans, correspondents say.

The National Rifle Association has already launched a video series attacking gun control activists.

And in Texas, a new "open carry law" will allow Texans with a permit to wear handguns on their hips in holsters - openly displaying the fact they are armed.

Last month a Texas police chief warned the president that trying to disarm Americans could spark a revolution.

Previous efforts to introduce stricter gun control laws have repeatedly foundered despite the large

number of people dying he admitted.

A joint Democrat-Republican bill following the 2012 shooting of 20 children and six adults at a primary school in Connecticut failed to get the 60 votes needed to broaden background checks and ban assault weapons.

Drop your comments: Post your comments below,  and chose your sign in format like google account with gmail. Alternatively if you dont want to sign in, you can choose the name/url or open ID option amid other formats of contribution. Comments reward for signed in contributors would be coming soon this 2016. The race starts now.

Follow Joshua Osagie on facebook Global audience / facebook Nigerian audience  / facebook personal account /  facebook  (fan page)/    and  twitter

ADVERTISE WITH THE FOREFRONT: +234-803-698-6103. For more details CLICK HERE NOW

Excellent online shopping of numerous items (electricals, electronics, computers, tablets, phones, wears, etc) with Konga Nigeria. Ease yourself the stress of conveyance get your item(s) delivered to you at your doorstep. Shop with them; check them out here>>> KONGA