Even without Congress, Obama could act to restrict guns

Unburdened by re-election worries and empowered by law to act without Congress, U.S. President Barack Obama could take action to improve background checks on gun buyers, ban certain gun imports and bolster oversight of dealers. …

Having just won a second four-year term, Obama does not need to fear alienating voters who favor gun rights and he could press ahead without lawmakers on fronts where federal law enables executive action. …

His administration has the power to issue executive orders or new rules, options that Obama is likely to consider in combination with possible new laws. …

Many of the ideas have to do with the background checks that licensed gun dealers run on potential buyers.