By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday President Obama unveiled a package of executive orders designed to limit Americans access to certain types of guns, while his allies in the U.S. Senate push an even more extreme piece of legislation that will criminalize the ownership of many types of rifles, handguns, and shotguns commonly owned by American families.
Flanked by four children who reportedly have asked the President to ban guns, President Barack H. Obama announced his ambitious anti-Second Amendment agenda. Most of it will have to pass through the United States Congress, but Obama also signed 23 executive orders on Wednesday. Several Alabama leaders rapidly posted responses to the President’s plans to limit Americans’ Second Amendment freedoms.
Congressman Mike Rogers (R) from Saks said, “I will continue to strongly support the Second Amendment. In that regard, I oppose any effort to reinstate an assault weapons ban, add restrictions on accessories, restrict ammunition purchases or construct further limitations on the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens. Additionally, I strongly oppose any Executive Order issued by the President designed to circumvent the legislative process and limit gun rights.”
U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery said, “As you’ve probably heard, President Obama today announced several new legislative proposals and executive orders aimed at creating stricter gun control policies. Right now, my staff and I are carefully reviewing the details of the President’s proposals. As a Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I look forward to engaging in hearings devoted to finding ways to ensure schools are safe for our students. “
The Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mike Hubbard (R) from Auburn said on Facebook prior to the announcement, “Today, President Obama will unveil his plan to infringe on your gun rights. Guns are not the problem and gun control is not the answer. To simply point a finger at guns and call for their outlaw is lazy, patently political and constitutionally dangerous.”
Congresswoman Roby said, “I’m a gun owner myself, and I strongly value the rights guaranteed in the Second Amendment. The overwhelming majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens who strictly follow all applicable state and local regulations. I will oppose any effort to take away the rights of law-abiding American citizens to own firearms.”
Speaker Hubbard said, “Nineteen executive orders: That’s how President Obama will infringe on your gun rights. Completely skipping the legislative process and ignoring the Constitution. They’re going to have a fight on their hands in Alabama.”
Reportedly the NRA has gained 250,000 new members since President Obama announced his intention to strip Americans of many of their Second Amendment rights in the wake of the massacre at Shady Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
