Star editorial slams Obama as weak on gun regulation

by David Safier

We're at an interesting moment in the gun regulation battles. Obama chooses to place an exclusive op ed in the Star about preventing gun violence last week, and today's editorial slams Obama for his "no stance" stance.

When the Star and public opinion are both out ahead of what a Democratic president is willing to say about gun regulation, it may be times are changing.

Here is what the Star editorial recommends:

• "Reinstating the expired federal ban on military-style assault weapons." That means, go farther than the 1994 ban and make it more like the "'one-feature' definition" in California's law
• "Reinstating a federal ban on extended-capacity magazines." Legislation Steve Farley introduced in the state legislature is applauded.
• "Closing the gun-show 'loophole.'" Obama campaigned against it, but these days, he doesn't mention it.
• "Improve the NICS [National Instant Criminal Background Check] system itself." Punish states that don't supply the required background information to the feds.
• "Obama should be leading the charge to get ATF [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] into fighting shape." That means funding the agency adequately.

The Star ends by saying it understands Obama is making a political calculation by keeping his gun regulation statements on the weak side, but this is a time for leadership.

The Star is absolutely right.