Washington, D.C. —Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E.  (R-WV) issued the following statement on President Obama’s executive actions regarding guns:

“Today’s announcement that President Obama will use executive actions to restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to purchase firearms is just the latest example of massive overreach by this Administration. Whether its guns, immigration, or coal, time and again President Obama has gone around Congress when it suits him, and taken unilateral action based on questionable constitutionality.

“We are all saddened by acts of violence like the attack in San Bernardino, but the best way to prevent them is to address the root cause, whether it is terrorism or mental health. The proposals released today will restrict the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, but would not have stopped these episodes of violence.

“From his 2008 campaign onwards, President Obama has made it clear by his actions that he has little regard for the Second Amendment rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Rather than using tragedies to divide us and provide cover for executive overreach, the President should focus on making us more secure and giving Americans peace of mind.”