Rep. LaMalfa Comments on
President Obama’s Firearm Executive Order Proposal
 

1/5/15: Washington, DC – Rep. LaMalfa today released the following statement regarding President Obama’s proposed executive actions regarding the Second Amendment:

“Rather than improving public safety, the most significant outcome of the President’s plan is to force more law-abiding Americans to pay government fees to exercise their Constitutional rights. If that isn’t emblematic of the entire Obama administration, I don’t know what is.

“We’ve seen time and time again that impeding the rights of law-abiding citizens doesn’t deter criminals and terrorists from breaking our laws. Limiting Americans’ ability to protect their families will embolden criminals, and areas with the most restrictions on firearms consistently have higher crime rates than areas in which citizens may defend themselves. For example, one would think the President would know that in Washington, D.C, where it is extremely difficult to legally purchase a firearm, the murder rate rose 54% last year due to criminals who acquire firearms illegally.

“If the President truly wants to improve public safety, he should recognize that new requirements do little when the government doesn’t enforce laws already on the books. In California, for example, Attorney General Kamala Harris was given $25 million to seize guns from convicted felons who are prohibited from owning firearms. After a year, the Attorney General had spent 40% of the funds to address just 17% of the problem.

“I’ll be working with my colleagues in the House to examine the legality of the President’s plan and limit it in every way.  As the President has so often stated, he can’t change the law without action from Congress.”

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.