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The Obama administration is exploring tighter regulation on gun policy that can be secured through an executive order, bypassing congressional approval, officials have confirmed.
The potential crackdown has prompted concern among gun rights groups in the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and Second Amendment rights.
Administration officials said talk of executive orders or agency action are being considered, amidst its crossfire over regulations with a Republican-dominated House.
The Department of Justice held a meeting on Tuesday - the first in what is expected to be a series - to explore how the administration might be able to rule by decree.
Before the meeting, officials said topics of discussion would range from encouraging more thorough background checks and more efficient data-sharing.
An administration official told Fox News: 'The purpose of these discussions is to be a productive exchange of good ideas from folks across the spectrum. We think that’s a good place to start.'
The news follows a report last month by the Washington Post in which President Obama is quoted saying his administration was working on gun control 'under the radar'.
The comment was reportedly made during a private meeting with his staff on March 30.
The remark came in the wake of the January killing spree in Arizona that left Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords critically injured after she was shot at point-blank range by 22-year-old Jarod Loughner.
The potential crackdown has prompted concern among gun rights groups in the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and Second Amendment rights.
Administration officials said talk of executive orders or agency action are being considered, amidst its crossfire over regulations with a Republican-dominated House.
The Department of Justice held a meeting on Tuesday - the first in what is expected to be a series - to explore how the administration might be able to rule by decree.
Before the meeting, officials said topics of discussion would range from encouraging more thorough background checks and more efficient data-sharing.
An administration official told Fox News: 'The purpose of these discussions is to be a productive exchange of good ideas from folks across the spectrum. We think that’s a good place to start.'
The news follows a report last month by the Washington Post in which President Obama is quoted saying his administration was working on gun control 'under the radar'.
The comment was reportedly made during a private meeting with his staff on March 30.
The remark came in the wake of the January killing spree in Arizona that left Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords critically injured after she was shot at point-blank range by 22-year-old Jarod Loughner.
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