Despite polls showing the American public’s disdain for stricter gun control, President Barack Obama is moving forward with a proposal to strengthen restrictions on firearms. Through a set of executive actions, Obama plans to require “some unlicensed gun dealers to get licenses and conduct background checks on potential buyers,” reports The Washington Post.⁽¹⁾

The new restrictions would affect “occasional dealers, including some who sell online frequently or rent tables at gun shows but do not have a storefront.”

The concept of tightening regulations on gun dealers, including more thorough background checks, arose two years ago but was shot down over “legal concerns,” the Post reports.

However, what many consider to be the continued degradation of the Second Amendment, the proposal has been resurrected following another mass shooting, with the Umpqua Community College attack serving as the most recent catalyst. On Oct. 1, Christopher Harper-Mercer, 26, opened fire at the school in Roseburg, Ore., killing nine unarmed students before turning the weapon on himself.

Obama’s new gun control measure angers Second Amendment supporters, including outspoken Texas Gov.

Obama’s decision to invoke executive action in order to pass new gun restrictions doesn’t sit well with some gun rights supporters, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott who responded via Twitter with a tweet captioned: “Obama wants to impose more gun control. My response? COME & TAKE IT @NRA #tcot #PJNET.”

Obama wants to impose more gun control. My response.#? COME & TAKE IT @NRA #tcot #PJNET https://t.co/RUPbcev5jY pic.twitter.com/8VNwisj966

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 1, 2016

Included in the tweet is the “COME AND TAKE IT” flag, also known as the “Gonzales Flag.” The image is symbolic of Texas independence as it was originally flown before a battle in Gonzales, Texas in 1835, as the Mexican government attempted to confiscate a cannon from Texas settlers, which later led to Texas winning its independence from Mexico.

Since he was elected as governor in 2014, Abbott has been particularly outspoken regarding his support of the Second Amendment, calling it a “genius” idea implemented by America’s founding fathers.

Over the summer, Gov. Abbott signed Texas’ new open-carry law, which went into effect on Jan.1, 2016. Also known as House Bill 910, the law “requires the state’s public universities and colleges to allow handguns on campus buildings and in dorms,” reports The Texas Tribune.⁽²⁾

“There is nothing more important in democracy than the voice of the people stepping up and saying ‘We expect the Constitution of the United States of America to be our guiding doctrine,” Abbott said when signing the bill into law.

The new open-carry law permits students 21 and older who have a concealed handgun license to carry their firearms on public campuses; however, private colleges are given the opportunity to opt out.

Gov. Abbott is celebrated for the fact that he has sued President Obama 31 times, including over his unlawful executive order on amnesty, reports Breitbart Texas.⁽³⁾

Obama partners with Anderson Cooper to push gun control at George Mason University

Obama will attempt to garner support for his gun control proposal on Jan. 7 during an “exclusive one-hour live town hall” segment at the George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. CNN’s Anderson Cooper will interview the president about his proposal during the event, titled “Guns in America,” which is being held on the anniversary of the shooting of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona.

Giffords was one of 13 people who were wounded when mentally ill gunman Jared Loughner opened fire during a constituent meeting held in a supermarket parking lot in Casas Adobes, Arizona in Jan. 2011. Six others were killed during the rampage.

Obama has also voiced support for using the Department of Homeland Security’s unconstitutional “no-fly” list to strengthen gun control, referring to the roster in an effort supposedly aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists.

But the plan received widespread criticism due to the fact that the list contains countless innocent Americans, many of whom have been “accidentally” swept up in a post-9/11 program and have no easy way of getting off and are denied due process while being presumed guilty.

Sources:

(1) WashingtonPost.com

(2) Breitbart.com

(3) CBSNews.com

(4) MyFox8.com

(5) Politico.com