奥巴马公布控抢新措施

 　　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 noted¹ 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 presidency² 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.

　　奥巴马公布控抢新措施

　　"Anybody in the business of selling firearms must get a license³ and conduct background checks, or be subject to criminal prosecutions⁴."

　　Currently only federally licensed⁵ dealers⁶ are required to run criminal background checks on buyers. Online sales or transactions at gun shows or flea⁷ 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 swap⁸ 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 Amendment⁹ rights shouldn't infringe¹⁰ 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.

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

3 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

4 prosecutions   

起诉( prosecution的名词复数 )； 原告； 实施； 从事

参考例句：

• It is the duty of the Attorney-General to institute prosecutions. 检察总长负责提起公诉。
• Since World War II, the government has been active in its antitrust prosecutions. 第二次世界大战以来，政府积极地进行着反对托拉斯的检举活动。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

5 licensed   

adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The new drug has not yet been licensed in the US. 这种新药尚未在美国获得许可。
• Is that gun licensed? 那支枪有持枪执照吗？

6 dealers   

n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者

参考例句：

• There was fast bidding between private collectors and dealers. 私人收藏家和交易商急速竞相喊价。
• The police were corrupt and were operating in collusion with the drug dealers. 警察腐败，与那伙毒品贩子内外勾结。

7 flea   

n.跳蚤

参考例句：

• I'll put a flea in his ear if he bothers me once more.如果他再来打扰的话，我就要对他不客气了。
• Hunter has an interest in prowling around a flea market.亨特对逛跳蚤市场很感兴趣。

8 swap   

n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易

参考例句：

• I will swap you my bicycle for your radio.我想拿我的自行车换你的收音机。
• This comic was a swap that I got from Nick.这本漫画书是我从尼克那里换来的。

9 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

10 infringe   

v.违反，触犯，侵害

参考例句：

• The jury ruled that he had infringed no rules.陪审团裁决他没有违反任何规定。
• He occasionally infringe the law by parking near a junction.他因偶尔将车停放在交叉口附近而违反规定。