Paul objects to Obama's gun control order on constitutional grounds

CARROLL, Ia. — Republican presidential hopeful Rand Paul said his main objection to the president’s recent executive action on gun control isn’t about the law itself, but “whether or not he can pass laws without any authority from Congress.”

The Kentucky senator said at a campaign event here he objects to the president’s executive order from a constitutional standpoint. President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced he wants to expand background checks for gun buyers and license those who sell firearms, even in private transactions.

He also said more money will be allocated for mental health treatment, FBI staff and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents.

“If his executive order were cutting taxes and doing things I like I would still oppose it, because only Congress gets to do those things. He doesn’t get to do them,” Paul said. “So it’s important because if you allow the president the power to write law, basically you’re setting a president up who can become like a king and do whatever they wanted.”

Paul said he is not opposed to background checks, as the “vast majority” of gun sales are already subjected to them. But he does find hesitation in requiring background checks for private gun transactions, as they will prove difficult to regulate.

He said the San Bernardino shooter, Syed Farook, was given guns through a private transaction, which was already illegal in California. Most all gun sales in the state must be made through a licensed dealer, according to the California Office of the Attorney General.

“If myself and my uncle are at home and we do a private transaction, how do you know that? Do gun control laws deter criminals, or do they only affect really primarily law-abiding citizens?” Paul said.

He added he believes the only way to truly regulate private gun sales is to enact a registry, but he objects to having public records of gun ownership.

In Carroll, Paul took a jab at Republican rival Donald Trump, whose spokesperson recently said the businessman is more than willing to use nuclear weapons to fix problems around the world. Paul called Trump the “scariest” candidate when it comes to foreign policy, and said his own “thoughtful” and “wise” approach to the Middle East is most needed to avoid another world war.

“My goodness, most people after about the age of 10 realize that a nuclear war would be incredibly devastating,” Paul said. “ … I can’t think of a Republican or a Democrat or an Independent in my lifetime who has said that our problem is we are not eager enough or not willing enough to use our nuclear weapons.”

WHERE IN IOWA?: Track presidential campaign visits across the state

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AT THE EVENTS

SETTING: Paul spoke with voters at the public libraries in Council Bluffs and Sioux City, at a winery in Carroll, and the Fareway Educational Center in Boone.

CROWD: More than 300 total attended the four events.

REACTION: Paul received standing ovations at each stop. He also solicited laughs when poking fun at himself for getting first place as worst-dressed candidate.

WHAT’S NEXT: Paul will campaign in central and eastern Iowa on Friday.