With a backdrop of four elementary students, President Obama reported that since the Sandy Hook shootings where 20 first graders died at the hands of a gunman, 900 people have died in gun violence in America, after which, he laid out some of his 23 executive orders to reduce the gun violence in America.

The president first proposal was Congress to look at initiating a universal background check for anyone trying to buy a gun, not just backgound checks made by gundealers. Obama stated that in the 14 years the background check has been in place, it has kept 1.5 million “wrong people” from obtaining guns through dealerships. Although the background checks have been fairly successful, the president pointed out that 40% of gun purchases through sources other than licenced dealers went without checks.

Obama’s second proposal was a return to the Reagan-era ban on assault weapons as well as limiting magazines for weapons to ten rounds, after which he called for increased police force and a crackdown on strw buyers, people who buy weapons just to turn them over to another person.

Obama told the audience and American viewers that to enact these reforms, it was up to the country’s people to say that “this time must be different — that this time, we must do something to protect our communities and our kids.”

Prior to the president’s speech, the NRA produced an ad that aired late Tuesday night where the narrator said, “Are the president’s kids more important than yours? Then why is he skeptical about putting armed security in our schools, when his kids are protected by armed guards at their school? Mr. Obama demands the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, but he’s just another elitist hypocrite when it comes to a fair share of security. Protection for their kids and gun-free zones for ours.”

The NRA came under fire as well for the release of their newest Itune app for Iphone and IPad titled “NRA:Practice Range.” This free app which features a shooting range with a Beretta pistol, an M-16 with 15-round clip, and a Mossberg shotgun, and a choice of standard target or human form, was originally marketed for “ages 4 and up.” Apple later changed the rating to “12 and up,” after public outrage. The app can be upgraded for a fee of $.99 each to include an AK-47 and an M-11 sniper rifle. The app was released as an Official NRA product exactly one month to the day after the Sandy Hook killings.

Pew Research released the results of a poll that found that 55% of Americans favor a ban on assault rifles and 85% favor a nation-wide standard for background checks.

Obama’s proposals were based on Vice President Biden’s recommendations after he was appointed and met with various organizations and groups after last month’s shootings.

After the president’s speech he sat down and signed his executive orders on stage.