President Barack Obama’s sweeping gun-law proposals and executive orders Wednesday brought a range of reactions from Georgia lawmakers in Washington, a reminder of the heated politics of guns.
The executive actions ranged from streamlined sharing of mental health information to reviewing standards on gun safes. But many conservatives balked at any such action.
“Americans have as much right to defend their families as President Obama does his,” said Rep. Austin Scott, a Republican from Tifton. “I am concerned that some of the President’s executive actions will ultimately impede their ability to do that. I do not understand what part of ‘shall not be infringed’ is so confusing to him.” He was referring to the Second Amendment, part of which says “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
The National Rifle Association also invoked Obama’s family in an advertisement this week accusing the president of being an “elitist hypocrite” for surrounding his children with armed guards but not supporting the NRA’s proposal to put armed guards in every school.
DeKalb County Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson saw racism in the powerful gun lobby’s attacks on the president.
“I think they have invoked racist sensitivities,” Johnson said. “They are certainly not free of those kinds of tactics to win their battle. They will gladly confuse people. They will gladly divide people. And so whatever it takes for them to accomplish their objective, which is no limits on firearm use and possession whatsoever.”
Johnson said he was working with colleagues across the aisle in the Republican-controlled House, where prospects for new gun legislation are slim. Among Obama’s proposals for Congress were bans on assault weapons and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, policies some Democrats also reject.
“I support the President’s call for stronger enforcement of existing gun-crime laws, because that’s been the real problem,” said Rep. John Barrow of Augusta, one of the leaders of the centrist Blue Dog Democratic Caucus. “But I strongly disagree with proposals that would deny law-abiding citizens their Second Amendment rights.”
Conservative Republican Reps. Tom Price of Roswell, Doug Collins of Gainesville and Tom Graves of Ranger all issued statements denouncing new gun laws.
But there was possible room for consensus on issues such as mandatory background checks for all gun purchases. Private sales between individuals or at gun shows are not subject to required background checks now.
“The common threads running through these shootings are mental health issues,” said Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson, who specifically denounced a renewal of the expired assault-weapon ban. “I believe that more effective and sensible solutions are those that focus on background checks and mental health care, rather than restrictions on our Second Amendment right to bear arms.”
Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss said, “While I am certain that the president’s proposal is well-intentioned, it is Congress’ responsibility to make sure that Americans’ constitutional rights are protected.”
Rep. David Scott, an Atlanta Democrat, indicated he was in favor of the restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, but he said lawmakers must be vigilant in showing they respect gun rights.
“It’s not the gun in and of itself, it is the gun in the wrong hands, and we have to figure out how we can avoid that,” David Scott said.
Obama invited four children to the White House announcement who had written him letters after the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Among them was Taejah Goode, 10, of Douglasville, who wrote: “I am very sad about the children who lost their lives in Conn. So, I thought I would write to you to STOP gun violence. Thank you Mr. President.”
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