This was about an opportunity to show he cares, that he still has some passion.
A shame he hasn't shown a tenth of this passion on the subject of the threat from Islam! There really hasn't been a "gun show loophole" for legal firearms sellers since 1938.
This was an opportunity for him to get on stage, perform, get a standing ovation, remind all the liberals, progressives and Democrats that he is still there and on their side and is DOING SOMETHING.
NOTHING in this announcement would have had ANY effect on any of the mass shootings that have occurred in the last ten years. Criminals almost never buy guns legally, which is more than 90% of the crimes involving guns.
http://reason.com/archives/2016/01/05/you-know-less-than-you-think-a
And as much as anything, this was a opportunity, a major opportunity to castigate and denigrate the people who oppose him and the people who legally buy and own guns. You can bet there weren't any gang members, mafia members, drug dealers and bank robbers watching or listening to this crap.