ArkLaMiss Lawmakers React to President Obama's Gun Proposals
By: Staff
Updated: January 16, 2013
Louisiana Representative Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, issued the following remarks following the president's press conference announcing new gun proposals:
"In my eyes, the president's plan approaches the problem of gun violence from the wrong direction. This proposal will not stop criminals from getting their hands on weapons and using them for harm. Instead, the suggested policy will punish law-abiding citizens by placing undue restrictions on valid activities involving firearms.
"Like most people, I believe we should explore ways to ensure that similar tragedies as seen in recent days never occur again. However, rather than exclusively blaming current gun policies, we need to evaluate the big picture and all factors that lead individuals to commit these monstrous crimes. That said, I will not support any proposal that tramples on the Second Amendment rights of responsible Americans."
U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, represents Louisiana's 5th Congressional District and serves on the House Appropriations Committee.
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WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's actions on gun control today.
"President Obama's statements today touched on some areas of common ground, but ultimately his plans rely too strongly on the failed gun-control ideas of the past. While he is likely to find a broad base of support for some of his mental health directives and for providing incentives to hire school resource officers, his push for Congress to bring back the assault weapons ban and to limit ammunition is misguided. New laws are not the answer. Stricter enforcement of the laws on the books is where we need to start.
There is plenty of evidence, both in our country and elsewhere, that proves simply disarming law abiding citizens does not help reduce violent crime. Firearms are the tools, not the cause. If we are serious about reducing gun crimes, we need to get to the root cause which includes addressing mental health issues in our country. That is where we need to focus on finding a solution."
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Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement following President Obama's announcement of a package of executive actions and proposals to Congress to impose gun control restrictions on American citizens:
"School shootings, exemplified by the heartbreaking incident at Newtown victimizing defenseless children, are terrible and senseless tragedies. We all mourn for the victims' families and loved ones. However, we must not to jump to knee-jerk conclusions that overlook the true issue at hand. Guns are merely an avenue for sick people to commit heinous crimes - they are not the root cause.
"I cannot support any action by the President to limit gun ownership for American citizens punishing law-abiding gun owners for the actions, however horrible, of one mentally ill individual. Our Founding Fathers guaranteed the right to bear arms in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, specifically demanding this right 'shall not be infringed.' I have always been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and will continue to do everything in my power to defend that right."
"In my eyes, the president's plan approaches the problem of gun violence from the wrong direction. This proposal will not stop criminals from getting their hands on weapons and using them for harm. Instead, the suggested policy will punish law-abiding citizens by placing undue restrictions on valid activities involving firearms.
"Like most people, I believe we should explore ways to ensure that similar tragedies as seen in recent days never occur again. However, rather than exclusively blaming current gun policies, we need to evaluate the big picture and all factors that lead individuals to commit these monstrous crimes. That said, I will not support any proposal that tramples on the Second Amendment rights of responsible Americans."
U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-Quitman, represents Louisiana's 5th Congressional District and serves on the House Appropriations Committee.
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WASHINGTON--U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's actions on gun control today.
"President Obama's statements today touched on some areas of common ground, but ultimately his plans rely too strongly on the failed gun-control ideas of the past. While he is likely to find a broad base of support for some of his mental health directives and for providing incentives to hire school resource officers, his push for Congress to bring back the assault weapons ban and to limit ammunition is misguided. New laws are not the answer. Stricter enforcement of the laws on the books is where we need to start.
There is plenty of evidence, both in our country and elsewhere, that proves simply disarming law abiding citizens does not help reduce violent crime. Firearms are the tools, not the cause. If we are serious about reducing gun crimes, we need to get to the root cause which includes addressing mental health issues in our country. That is where we need to focus on finding a solution."
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Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement following President Obama's announcement of a package of executive actions and proposals to Congress to impose gun control restrictions on American citizens:
"School shootings, exemplified by the heartbreaking incident at Newtown victimizing defenseless children, are terrible and senseless tragedies. We all mourn for the victims' families and loved ones. However, we must not to jump to knee-jerk conclusions that overlook the true issue at hand. Guns are merely an avenue for sick people to commit heinous crimes - they are not the root cause.
"I cannot support any action by the President to limit gun ownership for American citizens punishing law-abiding gun owners for the actions, however horrible, of one mentally ill individual. Our Founding Fathers guaranteed the right to bear arms in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, specifically demanding this right 'shall not be infringed.' I have always been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and will continue to do everything in my power to defend that right."
