Stringent Oversight or Soft Play? An Analysis of Gun Law Enforcement in the Obama Era

The reign of Barack Obama, as president of the United States, will always remain as an epoch-making era when it comes to gun control enforcement with pivotal legislative moves. His two-term tenure (2009-2017) witnessed a series of incidents that will forever shape the narrative around gun regulation enforcement, particularly the role played by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Obama's administration focused on the philosophy of prevention better than cure when it came down to gun control. This belief system was propagated by promoting necessary legislation that aimed at controlling gun violence not by punishing offenders but by preventing the occurrence in the first place.

The Fast and Furious controversy, puts into perspective Obama＊s stance on gun laws. The operation began in 2006 under the Bush administration but continued into Obama＊s term. The goal was to trace illegal gun-running routes by purposely allowing illegal gun sales, assuming the purchased guns would lead to bigger fish. While the mission may have been noble to some, it still exposed loopholes that could result in possible misuse and gun violence.

Another significant event in the history of his presidency was the heartbreaking Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. This incident led to a noticeable shift in Obama's tone and tactics concerning gun law enforcement. It involved Obama issuing 23 executive orders aimed at tightening gun control, expanding background checks, and increasing access to mental health services.

These intense strategies put into play by the Obama administration went a long way in shaping gun law enforcement in the United States. But it did not come without contention. Many critics have argued that the statistics show a different story, a decline in gun law prosecution cases. However, this view could also be judged from the lens of reduced gun violence indicating successful preventative measures.

Attorney General Eric Holder under Obama, had a pivotal role in providing a blueprint for proactive protection against rampant misuse of guns. The DOJ under his supervision, announced Project Guardian in 2013. Its focus was on the systematic enforcement of existing gun laws and the emphasis on mental health as one of the critical aspects of gun ownership.

The Obama administration also rolled out "Smart on Crime" initiative. The purpose behind it was to reform the criminal justice system by addressing underlying issues leading to violence. Instead of focusing only on punishment, the plan was to dig deeper and prevent violence by improving social conditions through education, housing, and employment.

To summarize, under Obama＊s presidency, there was a noticeable shift in gun law enforcement philosophy. The DOJ was more focused on catching the big fish rather than the small fry, with better and effective plans to enforce existing laws. This new-age approach, whether rigid or not, was a reflection of intent- an intent to prevent incidents that could lead to catastrophic gun violence.

Whether we agree with the Obama administration's approach or not, it can be concluded that it provided a blueprint for a new focus on preventative measures. Each stride, decision, or policy implemented during this period, has indubitably impacted the future course of gun law enforcement. Gleaning from these past incidents and strategies, it is evident that the enforcement of gun law regulation is a multi-dimensional concern that will always necessitate a dynamic and evolving approach. This reflection into Obama＊s era offers a critical lens on how these strategies have been implemented, lessons learned and the strides we have yet to make in preventing gun violence in the United States.