Tuesday, January 5, 2016, President Barack Obama announced plans to reduce gun violence. The new plan is to increase regulation in order to control who is able to obtain a gun − but will this even make a difference?

One aspect of his plan is to require anyone selling guns as a business to register as a licensed dealer and conduct background checks on the purchasing party. This would include Internet gun deals and gun shows ⎯ private individual sales would remain exempt from this law. Obama is operating off the belief that too many people on the Internet are selling under the guise of private individuals, when in reality they are really operating a business. This proposed plan would prevent private dealers from selling through websites such as Craigslist or Ebay without being registered.

“It’s not where you do it, but what you do,” Obama said.

“I think it’s a good idea. Gun control doesn’t have to mean it’s impossible to get a gun or that people’s rights are being taken away, it just means that the wrong people won’t be able to have as easy access to them,” senior Emily Singh said.

While the Second Amendment gives U.S. Citizens the right to bear arms, convicted felons are the exception. A second aspect of the proposed Executive Order would mandate that any person on the No Fly list also be prevented from purchasing a firearm. The government has already created a watch list to identify individuals that could be potential threats, so it would make sense to utilize that information in an effort to curb potential threats from obtaining a gun.

The President also wants to make background checks more accessible. He proposes hiring more federal agents so that the government will be able to run background check 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While, the majority of Americans support background checks and closing up the loopholes in the current laws and regulations, these new Executive Orders will not really curb violent gun crimes. It is ridiculous to think that felons and would be criminals are purchasing guns at gun shows and they are not going to local retailers either. Felons and criminals will continue to acquire guns through illegal means and on the Black Market. Therefore, the Administration should focus their efforts and policies on keeping guns out of the hands of criminals.

“I disagree with the plan, because I think that it violates the constitutional right to bear arms,” senior Jacques Friedman said.

As the end draws near for Obama, he is struggling to leave a legacy.  He has chosen gun control as his last ditch effort to make his mark on America. However, if the Administration is really serious about ending violent gun crimes, Obama will turn his focus to policies that will keep guns out of the hands of criminals and not law-abiding citizens.