Ignoring Real Threats to Push Meaningless Gun Rules

North Korea threatens nuclear war, the Syrian body count approaches a staggering 100,000, Iran proceeds with bomb-building, economic growth stalls and half-a-million Americans abandon the search for work – but the president concentrates his political capital on pushing new regulations on guns.

Instead of focusing on serious threats to peace and prosperity, Mr. Obama makes campaign style appearances to tout enhanced background checks on prospective gun owners. Such regulations are more properly the concern of states and localities, and cities with the strictest gun restrictions – like Chicago – often show the highest rates of gun violence. The president’s defenders express admiration for his political skill, while conceding that new federal rules will do little to improve daily life for ordinary citizens. But continued deficits and a dysfunctional tax system – not to mention war in Korea – could threaten security for every American.