Dr. Benishek: "Mr. President: Attacking the Second Amendment is Not the Answer"

Statement

Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) today released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced its plan to pursue sweeping new gun control measures:

"Law-abiding gun owners in Northern Michigan should not have their Second Amendment rights restricted because of the actions of criminals that are determined to hurt innocent people. We cannot allow our Constitutional rights to be eroded to achieve a false sense of security.

While I believe we need to have a national conversation about violence, our society's values, and the state of mental health care in this country, I don't think the President's plan to take guns out of the hands of responsible people is the answer. Guns are not the problem, evil people are. The only thing these proposed restrictions would do is prevent law-abiding individuals from protecting their homes, children, and businesses.

The Administration has also stated it intends to sidestep the legislative branch to implement its new gun control measures without the approval of Congress. That is unacceptable. The American people deserve to have this debate done the right way--in the open and with the consent of their elected representatives."

Source