Walker Asks Attorney General To Challenge Obama Gun Plan

Gov. Scott Walker says he’s asked Wisconsin’s attorney general to consider challenging President Barack Obama’s recent executive action on gun sales.

The president’s plan would require background checks for guns sold over the Internet or at gun shows. Obama issued a collection of executive orders during a sometimes emotional speech Tuesday, saying action was needed to prevent more mass shootings.

In a brief written statement Wednesday, Walker said the president was, “again disregarding the constitutional principles of separation of powers and exceeding his authority as chief executive.” Walker said the action created “fear of prosecution for law-abiding citizens.”

The statement also said Walker had asked Attorney General Brad Schimel to review the orders and to take “any and all legal measures available” to challenge them. Walker and Schimel took similar action against the president’s executive order on immigration, joining other states in a lawsuit that was successful at both the District Court and Appeals Court levels.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story featuring Associated Press content has been updated with original reporting.