Rep. Steve Stockman backs off impeachment threat against Obama

Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) said Wednesday he did not think impeaching President Barack Obama would be necessary to protect the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

"Impeachment is not something to be taken lightly," he said in a statement. "It is a grave and serious undertaking that should only be initiated in a sober and serious manner. It should be reserved only for most egregious of trespasses by the President."

"I would consider using Executive Orders to engage in attacks on a constitutionally-protected right and violating his sworn oath of office to be such a trespass. The President cannot issue executive orders depriving the people of full access to an enumerated constitutional right," Stockman added. "I do not think it will come to that. The President is not an absolute ruler, and his actions and orders can be checked and balanced by the Congress and the courts –- if the Congress is willing."

Stockman gained national attention after threatening to impeach the President if he used executive orders to enact new gun regulations. On Tuesday, Stockman said that Obama reminded him of Saddam Hussein.

Obama announced his set of proposals to reduce gun violence on Wednesday. Obama called on Congress to renew the assault weapons ban, restrict the sale of high-capacity magazines and require universal background checks for all gun sales. He also issued 23 executive orders, including appointing a director to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Though Obama's executive orders appear to all be within the president's power, Stockman assured his constituents that his staff were reviewing them. He vowed to "fight back with peaceable legislative force" against any executive actions that were unconstitutional.

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Correction: Article incorrectly claimed Stockman was serving his first term in the Congress. Stockman previously served in Congress from 1995 to 1997.