Democratic presidential hopefuls were quick to praise President Barack Obama’s executive actions on gun violence Tuesday, while Republicans blasted the emotional announcement as the latest example of the president exceeding his constitutional authority and underming the Second Amendment.
“It’s become clear that no mass shooting, no matter how big or bloody, will inspire Republicans to put children and innocent Americans over the interests of the NRA. They are simply more loyal to gun lobbyists than our children. That’s why I support President Obama’s executive actions,” Democrat Bernie Sanders said in a statement.
While Obama was still speaking at the White House, Hillary Clinton sent a personal tweet voicing her support. In Iowa, Clinton said she previously has called for some of the actions the president announced Tuesday.
Thank you, @POTUS, for taking a crucial step forward on gun violence. Our next president has to build on that progress—not rip it away. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 5, 2016
Obama unveiled a number of executive actions aimed at expanding background checks on gun buyers and called out the National Rifle Association’s influence in helping stall previous gun reform efforts.
“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage now, but they cannot hold America hostage,” Obama said during an emotional plea that brought him to tears.
Republican presidential candidates on the campaign trail were quick to slam the president for what they called another example of Obama exceeding his Constitutional authority.
“I oppose gun violence and I don’t think anything the president is talking about doing or is doing will prevent it because gun violence is committed by criminals and criminals don’t care what the law is, they violate it, that’s why they’re criminals,” Marco Rubio said before vowing to undo the actions if he becomes president.
Any executive order President Obama signs that regulates firearms transactions will merely regulate the freedom of law abiding citizens.
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) January 5, 2016
The gun debate has remained a hot issue thus far in the presidential race, fueling heated bipartisan reaction following mass shootings in places like Charleston, South Carolina and San Bernardino, California last year.
And though Republican candidates have staunchly opposed efforts to change the nation’s gun laws, there are aspects of Obama’s plan that some candidates have previously supported.
The issue most likely to give Republicans a headache is the president’s take on mental health. The White House is seeking $500 million to make mental health care more accessible, a position in line with some in the GOP.
Ben Carson wrote a 2014 op-ed where he encouraged starting a conversation to prevent the mentally ill and violent criminals from obtaining a weapon.
“We must be reasonable and willing to engage in conversation about how to limit the availability of dangerous weapons to criminals and very violent or insane people,” Carson wrote before reminding that threatening the Second Amendment is also “insanity.”
Almost all Republican have addressed the need for states to decide whether the mentally ill should purchase weapons. Governors John Kasich and Chris Christie have cited poor background screenings on the mentally ill as a contributing factor to gun violence.









