AZ Legislators React to Obama Gun Order

By Lorin McLain

Arizona legislators are gearing up to fight President Obama’s executive action to expand gun control. The president’s plan aims to mandate background checks that apply to anyone trying to buy a firearm online, at gun shows, and other venues; and it makes those sellers failing to comply subject to criminal punishment. Arizona has long been a stronghold for gun holders fearing government tampering with their second amendment rights, and several legislators are planning to block Obama’s executive action.

U.S. Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona has co-sponsored a bill to pull funding that would enforce the president’s orders, and would subject them to lawsuits. Gosar calls Obama’s order “the pinnacle in a legacy of lawlessness” and is calling for his congressional colleagues to “put a stop to this precedent of executive overreach.” U.S. Representative David Schweikert of Scottsdale called Obama’s action “Political theater” and said his proposal would “make zero difference” in reducing gun violence.

More moderate Republicans are offering alternatives to outright road-blocking efforts. Representative Martha McSally has introduced a bill aiming to improve mental health care and the quality of background checking. In the state legislature, Representative Mark Finchem is proposing legislation preventing Arizona and local governments from using staff and state money to enforce any presidential executive order, federal agency policy, or Supreme Court opinion that has not been passed by the U.S. Congress. Similar legislation failed to pass the Senate by the end of the session last year.

The president’s move to bypass congressional objection probably won’t come as much of a surprise to Arizona gun retailers that might see an uptick in sales. The state has followed consumer behavior nationally when an incident like the San Bernadino shootings enters the national consciousness. FBI data on the National Background Check System shows distinct surges in particular months suggesting events motivating purchases. The 12-month average for background checks surged close to four percent nationally and in Arizona after Obama was elected in 2008. Gun purchases peaked again after the Tucson shootings that killed six and wounded 15 others, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords in 2011.

Investors certainly are not expecting expanded gun control to hurt sales. The price for shares of gun maker Sturm, Ruger and Co. jumped more than six percent the day of the president’s speech. Smith and Wesson shares went up 11 percent.