WASHINGTON  - Even before President Barack Obama's meeting this afternoon with his attorney general and others, Republicans are voicing opposition to the executive actions Obama is expected to announce to tighten the nation's gun laws.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says at the very least, Obama is "subverting the legislative branch" -- and possibly "overturning its will."

Obama says his administration's recommendations for gun control executive actions are within his legal authority and consistent with the Second Amendment.

At a meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other top law enforcement officials, Obama is expected to sign off on a package of proposals aimed at curbing gun violence and cracking down on unregulated gun sales.

Among other steps, Obama is expected to expand background checks on gun sales by forcing more sellers to register as federally-licensed gun dealers.

One gun control advocate, Dan Gross of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, says there are "definitely" some things Obama could do on his own. He says his recent conversations with White House aides have left him hopeful.

The president says the measures won't solve every violent crime in the U.S., but will potentially "save lives and spare families the pain.