Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that President Obama was acting "like a king or a monarch" as the White House considers enforcing new gun laws through executive orders.
"I'm against having a king," Paul said in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network. "I think having a monarch is what we fought the American Revolution over and someone who wants to bypass the Constitution, bypass Congress — that's someone who wants to act like a king or a monarch."
Obama on Wednesday will unveil his proposals to stem gun violence, which are expected to include a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity clips, as well as increased background checks on gun buyers.
The president is also expected to outline 19 executive actions that he can unilaterally implement to tighten firearm restrictions, according to Democrats briefed on his plan. Those executive actions are likely to include more aggressive enforcement of existing gun laws, increasing federal research on gun violence and stronger prosecutions of those who lie on gun background checks.
Republicans and the National Rifle Association (NRA) are strongly opposed to new restrictions, arguing that they will do little to prevent gun violence.
Paul warned in his interview that GOP lawmakers would fight the president "tooth and nail" if he moved forward on the executive actions.
"I've been opposed to executive orders, even with Republican presidents," he continued. "But one that wants to infringe on the Second Amendment, we will fight tooth and nail. I promise you there will be no rock left unturned as far as trying to stop him from usurping the Constitution, running roughshod over Congress, and you will see one heck of a debate if he tries to do this."
The executive actions could be key, as Obama's ambitious legislative package is likely to see tough resistance on Capitol Hill.
Over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said an assault weapons ban was unlikely to pass the House — and that the Senate would not spend time on a proposal with little chance of success.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) on Tuesday said an assault weapons or high-capacity magazine ban would be a hard sell among some House Democrats.
