US gun lawEPISODE 160105 / 05 JAN 2016

Step 1: Listen

You're going to hear a genuine BBC news report from 5th January 2016. Before you listen, read these three summaries:

a) US President Obama is using Congress to pass laws to make gun control stronger.

b) US President Obama has made gun control stronger.

c) US President Obama is using special powers to make gun control stronger.

Now listen and decide which one is correct. Listen again if you need to.

Step 2: Learn the key words and listen again

How was that? Try listening again. Here are three definitions of key vocabulary items which may help you.

background checks checks on the things a person has done in their past                                       

bypass to go around something in order to avoid it

executive order an order given by the president or the governor of a state in the US which is like a law

Step 3: Transcript and answer

The White House has given details of President Obama's plans to tighten gun controls in the US.

It says all gun sellers will have to be registered and must carry out background checks on buyers.

After years of fierce opposition, President Obama has decided to bypass Congress and introduce the measures through a series of executive orders.

Answer

c) US President Obama is using special powers to make gun control stronger.

This bulletin comes from BBC World Service Radio.