Washington Post: Obama’s executive actions on guns: Legal analysis
A query: If the events at Sandy Hook were so emotionally disturbing to the President of the United States, wouldn't it have made sense to advance something that would have actually addressed the circumstances that were manifest in the Newtown atrocity? Just saying, "The Republicans wouldn't let me" is a weak argument given that, in 2013, there was a Democratic majority in the Senate. It looks like the Democrats wouldn't let him, either.
Also, if mass shootings are so disruptive to the presidential mien, maybe some address of gang violence and mental healthcare could also be mentioned?
Perhaps learning how to work with existing elected representatives can be rediscovered by the next president and his or her administration. Although, given the leading candidates, that may be a pipe dream.