Obama Expected to Expand Background Checks on Gun Sales

FILE – In this Nov. 19, 205 file photo, President Barack Obama listens as Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during their bilateral meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila, Philippines. The president is now staring down 11 months before his successor is chosen in an election shaping up to be a referendum on his leadership at home and abroad. He stirs deep anger among many Republicans, a constant reminder of his failure to make good on campaign promises to heal Washington’s divisiveness. But he remains popular among Democrats and foresees a role campaigning for his party’s nominee in the general election. (PHOTO CREDIT: AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to announce executive action expanding background checks on gun sales, media outlets reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with White House proposals and planning.

The changes, which could come as soon as next week, would include requiring more small-scale gun sellers to be licensed and to conduct background check whenever selling a weapon, Politico reported.

Additional measures would impose tighter rules for reporting guns that get lost or stolen on their way to a buyer, the political news website said.

Planning for the action is not complete and the announcement could be delayed, CNN reported.

Obama is currently on vacation with his family in Hawaii.

SOURCE: Reuters