CRI听力:Obama Unveils Executive Actions on Gun Control

Speaking to a packed audience of families of gun violence victims and gun control advocates, President Obama urged the nation to feel the urgency about this problem.

"The United States is not the only country on earth with violent or dangerous people. But we are the only advanced country on earth that sees this kind of mass violence erupt with this kind of frequency."

The President noted that every single year, 30 thousand Americans have their lives cut short by gun violence. He even recited a litany of mass shootings during his presidency but choked up at the 20 first grade children who were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2013.

At the center piece of the executive actions unveiled on Tuesday is to close the loopholes and institute law enforcement for illegal gun sales.

"Anybody in the business of selling firearms must get a license and conduct background checks, or be subject to criminal prosecutions."

Currently only federally licensed dealers are required to run criminal background checks on buyers. Online sales or transactions at gun shows or flea markets often saw sellers skipped that requirement by declining to register. Under the Executive orders, they will now face criminal prosecutions.

Meanwhile, the administration is also beefing up law enforcement, streamlining the background check system. In addition, the White House plans to invest 500 million dollars in mental health care and encourages states to swap information on those with mental illness. Manufactures are urged to research for smart gun technology to improve the safety of guns.

A visibly emotional Obama also argues that Second Amendment rights shouldn't infringe on the other rights of people.

"Second Amendment rights are important. But there are other rights that we care about as well. And we have to be able to balance them."

However, House Speaker Paul Ryan said President Obama's actions "will no doubt be challenged in the courts" and "can be overturned by a Republican President."

Legal experts say the executive actions are legal, yet only meant modest improvements. But the emotional language the President used is sure to ignite heated debate on the campaign trails.