Obama takes action over U.S. gun control

President Barack Obama is rolling out a string of executive actions aimed at curbing gun violence, despite staunch opposition in Congress

All sellers must be licensed and must conduct background checks on potential buyers – overturning current exemptions to private sellers at gun shows and online

FBI to hire 230 new examiners to help process new background checks

Congress will be asked to invest $500m in its 2017 budget to boost access to mental health care

States must provide information on people disqualified due to mental illness or domestic violence

Licensed gun dealers required to report any lost and stolen guns to National Crime Information Center

Departments of defence, justice and homeland security will explore “smart gun technology” to improve gun safety

306.8 million U.S. population (2009)

Rifles and shotguns 196 million

310 million Guns owned by U.S. citizens (2009)

Handguns 114 million

Deaths resulting from firearms TOTAL: 33,636 (2013)

Suicide: 21,175

Homicide: 11,208

Other: 1,253

Sources: U.S. Congress, Gunpolicy.org, National Shooting Sports Foundation

Picture: Getty Images