Freshman Republican threatens to impeach Obama over gun control

Freshman Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) on Monday threatened to impeach President Barack Obama if he used an executive order to infringe American's Second Amendment rights.

"The White House’s recent announcement they will use executive orders and executive actions to infringe on our constitutionally-protected right to keep and bear arms is an unconstitutional and unconscionable attack on the very founding principles of this republic," he said in a statement.

"I will seek to thwart this action by any means necessary, including but not limited to eliminating funding for implementation, defunding the White House, and even filing articles of impeachment."

During a press conference Monday morning, the President suggested he would use an executive order to reduce gun violence. Obama explained there were "some steps that we can take that don't require legislation and are within my authority as president."

It is unclear what executive actions the President plans to make. Obama has called for better background checks for gun buyers, renewing the assault weapons ban, and restricting high-capacity magazines. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that an executive order can only be used to clarify or attempt to further a law approved by Congress.

But Stockman believes Obama potentially plans to do something drastic and unconstitutional.

"The President’s actions are an existential threat to this nation," he said. "The right of the people to keep and bear arms is what has kept this nation free and secure for over 200 years. The very purpose of the Second Amendment is to stop the government from disallowing people the means to defend themselves against tyranny."

Last week, Stockman introduced legislation that would repeal federal laws mandating "gun free zones" around schools. He claimed the zones "created a dangerous situation for our children."