Luther Strange testifies about gun control in nation's capital

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSFA) - Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange spent Wednesday morning in Washington testifying in front of a congressional subcommittee on the President's plan to expand gun control measures.

In his testimony, Strange took aim at expanded background checks for sellers at gun shows.

The centerpiece of the president's order – expanding background checks to close what some call the gun show loophole – is not only an unwarranted assault on the Second Amendment, but it will also be ineffective in making a significant contribution towards reducing overall gun crimes," Attorney General Strange told the Senate subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.

Strange also said expanded background checks at gun shows would only prevent law abiding American from purchasing or selling guns, adding that Washington should partner with law enforcement and focus on using laws already in place to curb gun violence.

"I join the majority of Americans in supporting legitimate efforts to curb gun violence in our land.  I also follow the recommendations of law enforcement in my state that the most effective way to address gun crimes is to enforce the abundant existing laws we already have, while giving law enforcement the tools to do their jobs," Strange said.

Attorney General Strange joined four other witnesses in testifying at the Capitol Hill hearing Wednesday.  Other witnesses included U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Mark Barden, Founder and Managing Director of Sandy Hook Promise, and Dr. Joyce Lee Malcolm, professor, George Mason University School of Law.

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