Obama: Gun Violence 'Happens On The Streets Of Chicago Every Day'

By Kate Shepherd in News on Jan 5, 2016 8:50PM

Obama was at a D.C. library today! (Getty Images)

President Barack Obama addressed his hometown's devastating gun violence problem Tuesday, mentioning that "it happens on the streets of Chicago every day."

It was part of an executive action on gun control introduced Tuesday at the White House.

Joined by the father of Sandy Hook victim Daniel Barden, Mark Barden, Obama spoke about the nation's epidemic mass shooting problem.

"Every time I think about those kids it gets me mad," he said. "And by the way, it happens on the streets of Chicago every day."

A study released in October showed that Chicago led the country in mass shootings with about 48 occurring between Jan. 1, 2013 and the time of release.

Another Chicagoan was present for the speech. Cleo Pendleton, the mother of Hadiya Pendleton, stood behind the president during his address. Hadiya Pendleton was 15 years old when she was shot and killed in a park just blocks away from her high school on Jan. 29, 2013. She had performed with King College Prep's band and drill team at Obama's inaugural events in DC just days before her death.

The executive action includes new provisions aimed to reducing shootings, according to DCist:

• Among the newly announced provisions: Staffing up the FBI's background checks: "The envisioned improvements include processing background checks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully attempt to buy a gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process these background checks."
• Investing in mental health care: "The Administration is proposing a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care."
• Requiring more sellers be licensed: "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is making clear that it doesn't matter where you conduct your business - from a store, at gun shows, or over the Internet: If you're in the business of selling firearms, you must get a license and conduct background checks." Also: "ATF is finalizing a rule to require background checks for people trying to buy some of the most dangerous weapons and other items through a trust, corporation, or other legal entity."