Congressman Gibbs Statement on Obama’s Executive Orders on Gun Violence Reduction

Release:

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH) released the following statement following President Obama’s remarks this afternoon on gun violence:

“In the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shootings last month, it is imperative that we not let the memories of those 26 innocent victims be politicized by either side of the debate. President Obama today announced several executive orders and proposals, some of which come with a significant cost, and it will take some time to review the details of his plan.

“Without debating the specifics of all that the President released today, I want to say that I agree with him that we must identify ways to ensure that our children are safe and protected from those who wish to do them harm. However, I do not believe that hampering the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners is the way to achieve that goal. We must have a national discussion on treating mental illness and ways to better enforce current laws.

“Now is not the time to use this tragedy as an exploitation for the gun control lobby. Doing so demeans the memories of those innocent lives that were so tragically taken.”