WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee made the following statement in response to the president’s announcement regarding new executive actions on gun control:

“It is unfortunate that the president is using the tragedy in Newtown to advance a set of proposals that would do little, if anything, to prevent these kinds of shocking events,” said Senator Lee. “Instead, his laundry list consists of demands that Congress limit the rights of law abiding citizens, executive orders that essentially affirm the status quo, and initiatives to increase federal interference into state and local law enforcement and educational institutions.”

“Without specific legislative language, it is impossible to evaluate the potential consequences of the president’s proposals. But I am deeply concerned that the president’s approach is inconsistent with fundamental Second Amendment rights and encroaches on the authorities of state and local governments.  As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I look forward to this debate and am committed to ensuring that the rights of citizens are not infringed and public safety is not diminished.”