Staff and wire report
WASHINGTON — At least one of the region’s U.S. House representatives is giving President Barack Obama a failing grade on his gun-control package.
Richard Hudson, a freshman Republican representing 8th District and most of Robeson County, chastised the president for what he says are gun-control efforts that go too far in restricting Second Amendment rights.
“The president’s recommendation to restrict our Second Amendment rights is stunning in both its presumption and blatant disregard for the principles upon which our nation was founded,” Hudson said in a statement. “Not only does enacting potentially unconstitutional measures in response to a tragic incident undermine the rights of every American, but we know these policies don’t work.
“The fact of the matter is, we cannot regulate people’s actions, no matter how much we attempt to regulate their freedoms. Implementation of the president’s recommendations would disarm the average citizen and open ourselves up to continued acts of violence. We must focus on protecting our citizens and rectifying the root causes of such evil acts rather than enforcing hasty solutions.”
U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, the representative for the 7th District, which includes a small slice of Robeson County, could not be reached for comment.
Obama’s sweeping gun-control package faces an uncertain future on Capitol Hill, where majority House Republicans are rejecting his proposals while the president’s allies in the Democratic-controlled Senate are stopping well short of pledging immediate action.
The fate of his plan could ultimately hinge on a handful of moderate Democratic senators. Although they are unlikely to endorse the president’s call for banning assault weapons, they might go along with other proposals, such as requiring universal background checks on gun purchases.
Several of these senators responded warily after Obama unveiled his proposals Wednesday with the challenge that “Congress must act soon.”
“I will look closely at all proposals on the table, but we must use common sense and respect our Constitution,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. Tester told the Missoulian newspaper in his home state recently that he supports background checks but doesn’t think an assault weapons ban would have stopped the shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., where a gunman massacred 20 children and six adults before turning the gun on himself.
Obama’s proposals came a month after the shootings in Newtown, which he has called the worst day of his presidency. His announcements capped a swift and wide-ranging effort, led by Vice President Joe Biden, to respond to the deaths.
The $500 million plan marks the most comprehensive effort to tighten gun laws in nearly two decades. It also sets up a tough political fight with Congress as Obama starts his second term needing Republican support to meet three looming fiscal deadlines and pass comprehensive immigration reform.
“I will put everything I’ve got into this, and so will Joe,” the president said. “But I tell you, the only way we can change is if the American people demand it.”
Seeking to circumvent at least some opposition, Obama signed 23 executive actions Wednesday, including orders to make more federal data available for background checks and end a freeze on government research on gun violence. But he acknowledged that the steps he took on his own would have less impact than the broad measures requiring approval from Capitol Hill. He is also calling for limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds or less.
“To make a real and lasting difference, Congress, too, must act,” Obama said.
bThe question now is how and whether that happens.
House GOP leaders have made clear they’ll wait for the Senate to act first, since they see no need to move on the contentious topic if it doesn’t. “House committees of jurisdiction will review these recommendations. And if the Senate passes a bill, we will also take a look at that,” said Michael Steel, spokesman to House Speaker John Boehner.
background checks on Many rank-and-file Republicans scorched Obama’s proposal. “The right to bear arms is a right, despite President Obama’s disdain for the Second Amendment,” said Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan.
background checks on Senators are expected to begin discussions on how to proceed when they return to Washington next week from a congressional recess, according to a Democratic leadership aide who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. They could end up breaking the president’s proposals into individual pieces, with votes possibly starting next month.
While the assault weapons ban is seen as having little if any chance of passage, support may coalesce behind requiring universal background checks, which is a top priority for advocacy groups that see it as the most important gun crimes. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says 40 percent of gun sales are conducted with no criminal background checks, such as in some instances at gun shows or by private sellers over the Internet. Obama would seek to require checks for all sales.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., already has sponsored a bill to require universal background checks that the Senate could take up, while Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has legislation banning ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., a gun-rights backer who’s been supported by the National Rifle Association in the past, responded cautiously, saying he was committed to ensuring the Senate considers legislation on gun violence early this year. He didn’t endorse any of Obama’s proposals.
Despite the uncertainty on Capitol Hill and opposition from the powerful NRA, outside groups are encouraged by polling showing public support for changes to the law. They intend to try to harness that sentiment to pressure lawmakers.
A lopsided 84 percent of Americans back broader background checks, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. Nearly six in 10 Americans want stricter gun laws, the same poll showed, with majorities favoring a nationwide ban on military-style weapons.
“Now it’s up to us,” said Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign. He said his group would be working “to bring that voice to bear in this process, because without that it’s not going to happen.” Associated Press writer Erica Werner wrote this report, with contributions from AP’s Julie Pace. Staff writer Bob Shiles also contributed.
This President is a joke. He's going to put his hand on a Bible in a few days and swear to uphold and protect the Constitution, but it's clear he'd just as soon use it to blow his nose if given the chance.
"IF WE FORGET THAT WE ARE ONE NATION UNDER GOD WE WILL BECOME ONE NATION GONE UNDER"