THE White House unveiled gun control measures Monday that require more gun sellers to get licenses and more gun buyers to undergo background checks, moves President Barack Obama said were well within his authority to implement without congressional approval.

    The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) now will require that people who sell guns at stores, at gun shows or over the Internet be licensed and conduct checks, officials said. The ATF was finalizing a rule requiring background checks for buyers of dangerous weapons from a trust, corporation or other legal entity as well.

    Obama, speaking to reporters before the measures were made public, said they were consistent with the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms.

    “These are not only recommendations that are well within my legal authority and the executive branch, but they’re also ones that the overwhelming majority of the American people, including gun owners, support,” Obama said during a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch and other advisers.

    Obama is igniting a political firestorm by bypassing Congress with the measures, which could spark legal challenges. Republicans say Obama is misusing his powers.  

    (SD-Agencies)