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Obama’s move may deter some weapon sales over the Internet

FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2012 file photo, police stand with guns drawn at the entrance to Brookfield Square Mall across from the scene of a shooting at Azana Salon in Brookfield, Wis. President Barack Obama’s moves to license more private gun sellers and do background checks on buyers will have the greatest impact on the fast-growing and largely unregulated world of online sales. But it’s not clear that the steps will transform the broader gun market, and even the White House says it can’t predict how much good it will do. Online transactions have included weapons later used in high-profile mass shootings, including the 2012 mass shooting in Brookfield, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2012 file photo, police stand with guns drawn at the entrance to Brookfield Square Mall across from the scene of a shooting at Azana Salon in Brookfield, Wis. President Barack Obama’s moves to license more private gun sellers and do background checks on buyers will have the greatest impact on the fast-growing and largely unregulated world of online sales. But it’s not clear that the steps will transform the broader gun market, and even the White House says it can’t predict how much good it will do. Online transactions have included weapons later used in high-profile mass shootings, including the 2012 mass shooting in Brookfield, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn, File) FILE - In this Oct. 21, 2012 file photo, police stand with guns drawn at the entrance to Brookfield Square Mall across from the scene of a shooting at Azana Salon in Brookfield, Wis. President Barack Obama’s moves to license more private gun sellers and do background checks on buyers will have the greatest impact on the fast-growing and largely unregulated world of online sales. But it’s not clear that the steps will transform the broader gun market, and even the White House says it can’t predict how much good it will do. Online transactions have included weapons later used in high-profile mass shootings, including the 2012 mass shooting in Brookfield, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama’s move to tighten controls on gun sales could discourage some unlicensed private sellers from doing business over the Internet and at gun shows.

But the White House and others can’t say how many transactions will be blocked or how much bloodshed will be prevented.

The president used his executive authority to clarify that anyone “in the business” of dealing guns must obtain a federal license and conduct background checks on prospective buyers, regardless of where the selling takes place.

Currently, some private sellers do not bother to get licenses, and weapons sales online have become a booming business.

Gun control advocates are welcoming the changes. But they say the effect may be modest.

The owner of a gun-sale website says Obama’s action is “well-meaning, but ultimately ineffective.”