Gardner Statement on President Obama's Executive Orders on Guns

Statement

U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the following statement following President Obama's announcement of new executive orders on gun control:

"Once again, President Obama has decided to take divisive, unilateral action rather than work with Congress. Today's announcement makes it clear that he has little respect for the constitutional rights of gun-owning Americans, and even less respect for our constitutional system of government.

"The Congress, as representatives of the people, makes the laws. It is the President's job to enforce those laws. The President is not empowered to make up his own laws when he doesn't like the ones Congress has written. Executive orders cannot, and should not, stand in place of the Constitution. The desire on the part of the President to govern the entire country based on his own whims is dangerous.

"I empathize with the desire of many to do something about recent incidences of violence in our country. But these executive actions would not have prevented many of the tragedies our communities have faced. I will urge my colleagues in Congress to work on solutions to better aid those in America suffering from mental illness, keep guns out of the hands of criminals, and better enforce the countless regulations on gun ownership already on the books.

"Restricting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans is not now and will never be the answer. I stand with the millions of law-abiding supporters of the Second Amendment, and with all those who respect our constitutional democracy, in opposing the President's actions today."

Senator Gardner has been a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights going back to his time in the State Legislature. He repeatedly introduced a "Make My Day Better" law in the Colorado State House, which would allow business owners to use deadly force against attackers and intruders. Throughout his time in the U.S. House and Senate, he has continued to support the right of Americans to keep and bear arms.

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