After Wednesday's speech where Obama unveiled his proposals for stopping gun violence in the United States. Two members of Alaska's delegation voiced their concerns and opinions.

President Obama laid out his 23 point plan to curb or reduce gun violence in a speech yesterday. Senator Murkowski as well as Representative Don Young released statements following Obama’s speech.

Senator Murkowski reacted to the Obama proposals while in Japan discussing export opportunites for Alaska’s natural gas. She said in a short statement, “Alaskans have mourned with all Americans at the tragic, senseless deaths in recent years but we do not believe those emotions should cloud our resolve to protect our Constitutional right to bear arms. I have spoken with gun owners, shopkeepers and hunters in Alaska in recent weeks and share their concerns that the rights and opinions of responsible citizens are not being fully respected in this conversation. Today’s announcement from the President, and his directions to Congress, further feed those concerns.

“Alaska has shared the pain experienced by people of Newtown, Columbine, and other communities around the country. We suffered a tragic school shooting in Bethel in 1997. So while I appreciate the President’s input in the name of school safety, I want Alaskans to know this needs to be a far wider discussion, and Congress is the rightful place for laws to be debated fully and crafted. Where there are improvements to make or safeguards to add to our laws — including safety in public places, mental health care improvements and addressing violent entertainment — I am ready to work with my Congressional colleagues to protect both Alaskans and our Constitution.”

Representative Young released his statement yesterday as well, in it he stated, “I have serious concerns with the statements made today by President Obama and take issue with the President’s call for banning aesthetically altered rifles and shotguns and certain magazines.

“This is a dangerous limitation on a family’s ability to defend itself in the event they’re threatened. Perhaps in cities where the police response time tends to be more rapid, it is easy to forget how important a firearm is to keeping loved ones safe. However, in rural America where law enforcement is many miles away, a semi-automatic weapon could mean the difference between life and death.

“However, I am encouraged that the Administration will take measures to improve lacking law enforcement protocols designed to prevent those with mental illness from obtaining weapons. As a former educator, I appreciate promised efforts to provide our nation’s educators, first responders, and law enforcement with proper training for active school shooters, while also providing incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.

“I continue to meet with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to discuss ways to address mental health, and keep guns out of the hands of madmen, all without infringing on responsible gun owners’ Second Amendment rights.”

As yet, Alaska’s junior Senator, Mark Begich has not released any statement or opinion on yesterday morning’s speech by President Obama.

Also, Speaker of Alaska’s House introduced legislation yesterday that builds on former Representative Mike Kelly’s House Bill 186, this new bill proposes to charge any federal employee trying to execute one of President Obama’s with a misdemeanor.

“We need to lessen federal incursion into our lives and protect our hard-fought rights,” Chenault said. “Alaskans deserve the right to protect themselves how they see fit, under the law of the land duly passed by the Congress, not presidential fiat.”