In what could be the warm-up to his final State of the Union Address next week, President Barack Obama announced Monday a series of directives designed to curb the country’s epidemic of gun violence.

And the White House didn’t mince words when it came to explaining why the president was bypassing the US Congress and using executive actions to enact these new firearms restrictions.

“[W]hile Congress has repeatedly failed to take action and pass laws that would expand background checks and reduce gun violence, today, building on the significant steps that have already been taken over the past several years, the Administration is announcing a series of commonsense executive actions …,” the White House’s release concerning the executive actions stated.

Although the initiatives won’t be officially announced until Tuesday—and on Thursday, Obama will hold a town hall meeting on gun violence on CNN—people are already debating the constitutionality of the president’s executive actions. Here’s a look at some of the mandates the White House is proposing.

Improving Background Checks

One of the most sweeping—and most contentious—measures is the revamping of the background check system that would require checks for online and gun show sales, as well as for firearms bought through trusts, corporations, and other legal entities.

“According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the background check system has prevented more than 2 million guns from getting into the wrong hands. We know that making the system more efficient, and ensuring that it has all appropriate records about prohibited purchasers, will help enhance public safety. … Background checks have been shown to keep guns out of the wrong hands, but too many gun sales—particularly online and at gun shows—occur without basic background checks.”

More than 230 new FBI examiners and staff will be hired on to help with this background check overhaul, creating a system that would operate around the clock and alert sellers and authorities when a gun sale shouldn’t be made.

More Resources for ATF

Money in the budget for the 2017 fiscal year will be earmarked to hire 200 new agents and investigators for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Justice Department agency that regulates firearms sales and helps enforce gun laws. The bureau also will hire more staff for and put $4 million toward improving its National Integrated Ballistics Information Network, a database that aids law enforcement agencies around the country investigate gun crimes.

Addressing Guns and Social Issues

The president’s announcement tackled some of the root issues that can lead to gun violence. He proposed $500 million be spent improving mental health care in the country, something that probably would need backing from Congress. He also advised US Attorneys to increase their efforts to combat domestic violence.

Better Gun Safety Technology

Finally, the White House is asking the Justice, Defense, and Homeland Security departments to sponsor more research into improving gun safety technology, including smart gun advancements that only allow the owner of the firearm to operate it.