• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

State lawmakers weighed in on President Obama's proposals on gun control measures, and his list of executive orders to prevent mass shootings.

They said they agree with some things the president had to say, but not all.

State leaders told us they accept his 23 executive orders. "It's more in the nature of clarifying existing law, enforcing background checks in proper manners," said Sen. Jim Rice, (R) Caldwell.

Both parties seem to be on the same page. “I think the concepts are appropriate. We need to be having the discussion on mental illnesses, slipping through the cracks in general, not just about guns," said Rice.

“I think it’s very difficult to identify, who's going to be violent, but to the extent that it is discernable, there should be protections for the community," said Rep. John Rusche (D) Lewiston.

Despite the initial agreement with the executive orders, the reactions to the president's proposals for federal gun control laws tell a different story.

"Idaho Democrats believe strongly in the second amendment. We have to be responsible in that ownership," said Rusche.

Both sides said universal background checks, bans on military style assault rifles and magazines will not prevent mass shootings.

Rep. Marv Hagedorn (R-Meridian) said he sent a request to the State Attorney General’s Office to look into the president's executive orders to see how they will affect Idaho’s gun laws. He's still waiting for those results.