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Obama on Gun Measures: 'I Taught Constitutional Law, I Know a Little Bit About This'

January 5, 2016

President Obama, defending his executive actions on gun control Tuesday at the White House, remarked that he "taught Constitutional law" and knew "a little bit about this" in response to critics of his new measures.

Obama chided critics for the "routine" of opponents of his measures saying he ignores the Constitution.

"I believe in the Second Amendment," Obama said. "It's there written on the paper. It guarantees a right to bear arms. No matter how many times people try to twist my words around, I taught Constitutional law, I know a little bit about this. I get it. But I also believe that we can find ways to reduce gun violence consistent with the Second Amendment."

Obama compared the debate to people supporting the First Amendment but recognizing it's dangerous to yell "fire" inside of a theater.

"We all believe in the First Amendment, the guarantee of free speech, but we accept that you can't yell fire in a theater," Obama said. "We understand there are some constraints on our freedom in order to protect innocent people. We cherish our right to privacy, but we accept that you have to go through metal detectors before being allowed to board a plane. It's not because people like doing that, but we understand that's part of the price of living in a civilized society."

The executive actions require more gun sellers to acquire licenses and more gun buyers to undergo background checks, alongside other measures.

Published under: Barack Obama , Gun Control