Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) on the president’s proposal to use the executive office to circumvent the elected representatives of the people:

“I am disappointed by the president’s remarks and actions today. The Administration’s decision to circumvent the elected representatives of the American people is surely not the right way to approach an issue of constitutional significance.  It would be more productive to have a thoughtful, national discussion on how to better determine when young people are becoming troubled, how to get them back on the right path, and what causes an individual to commit an evil, violent act.  We need to focus on getting to the root of these questions, rather than focusing on the instruments that disturbed individuals have misused and abused to carry out heinous crimes.  Firearms are lawfully owned and used by millions of responsible Americans for purposes such as self-defense, hunting, and recreation, and as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, I will work to protect our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.”