(CNN) – President Barack Obama’s suggestion that state “Stand your Ground” laws should be examined after the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin could amount to an assault on the right of Americans to own guns, Sen. Ted Cruz said in Iowa Friday.
Speaking after addressing a Republican group, Cruz told reporters he hadn’t yet watched Obama’s remarks. But when asked to respond to Obama’s call for a review of laws in individual states, Cruz responded by saying the president was trampling on constitutionally guaranteed rights.
“It is not surprising that the president uses, it seems, every opportunity that he can to go after our Second Amendment right to bear arms,” the Texas Republican said. “This president and this administration has a consistent disregard for the Bill of Rights.”
For example, Cruz said the Obama administration was violating free speech guarantees by “restricting the rights of our servicemen and women to share their faith and not be gagged,” and that the use of drones raised other constitutional questions.
Obama on Friday made his first public comments about the acquittal of George Zimmerman last week in Martin’s shooting death in 2012.
In his speech, Obama called for reconsideration of “Stand your Ground” self-defense laws in Florida and other states.
“I think it would be useful for us to examine some state and local laws to see if they are designed in such a way that they may encourage the kinds of altercations and confrontations and tragedies that we saw in the Florida case, rather than diffuse potential altercations,” Obama said.
n his speech, Obama called for reconsideration of “Stand your Ground” self-defense laws in Florida and other states.
Stand Your Ground was brought up ZERO times in the Zimmerman trial. It was never brought up because it was a NON ISSUE. The issue was self defense not stand your ground.
Obama trying to take advantage of more uninformed Americans just to push a gun bill.
Senator: What Obama said in his remarks today are outragous. While I havent actually watched it, im told that it was outrageous. Hide your guns.
It is easy to be opposed to 'stand your ground laws' when you are constantly surrounded by the Secret Service. But what about the rights of the average citizen to be protected?
Cruz hasn't even watched Obama's remarks, but he's already full of accusations??
Agree with Cruz on this.
When we have listened to Obama distort the truth and twist the facts to match his agenda, how can we believe he is sincere when he makes a speech like the one he made today concerning black and white relationships in America. Fool me once and it's your fault, but fool me twice and it's my fault for being decieved ???? Would be nice to be able to believe your president when he says something, but we will have to wait three and a half more years for that to happen !!!! I want a president I can trust so I don't have to wonder which part of his speech is true and factual ???
As I understand it. Stand your ground is a ruling that every AMERICAN has the right to defend themselves which negates running AWAY. iF that is ruled against the law, then it is the same as a law that you must run away. All this is finally going to boil down to another civil war. Plainly speaking, the have nots and free loaders against those who have worked and have earned a place in this country..free from low brow thugs who breed like rats in a sewer. It isnt going to be pretty.
So tired of people who value guns more than people.
The party of stupid continues to set new records!
The GOP should join with the Teaparty and rebrand as the new improved, "Donner Party". If you locked them together in a closet and opened the door in a week, all you'd find is a pile of clothes and a few clumps of hair. ; )
Ted Cruz is a disgrace to Congress and to the entire human race.
Ted Cruz is a disgrace to the human race!
Whos he talking about.We the people are not allowed to say anything about what the President says. No Freedom of speach.
Cruz and his ilk have a constant disregard for rational thinking.
the great divider is a racist
Don't Republicans ever suffer from over reaction freak out fatigue? Ever?
"Paranoia runs deep....." In the tea party...he has been drinking something besides tea if that's all he got out of that speech.
Ted Cruz is what is wrong with republican party who treasures the NRA more than people. The only reason republican brown nose the NRA are contributions. Even with money they are destined to lose in 2016!
Texas, are you not embarrassed by the people you elect to public office?? Rick "Ooops" Perry, and now Sen. "Everythings an assault on the 2nd Amd" Cruz??
When you are a racist you claim "race baiter" or "fanning the flames of racism' Cruz is a racist and pretty much all of the world can see that but the Far Right and him. If no one can even talk about the Race problems without a Republican commenting on it as somehow race baiting then I guess we all know where the problem really is. They either ignorant to their problem or worse are trying to cover it up with these false claims. Either way the entire GOP has a big problem with Blacks, Latinos and women and they can accuse Democrats all they want but folks are tired of that old line.
Ok, Now we need to look at Obama's comment "I could have been Trayvon." Sounds like he went around neighborhoods beating up people just for sport. Maybe there is some finger print or DNA evidence.
Guns, Guns and More Guns. Needed: More Brains for those who own Guns.
Obama, by saying that he could have been Martin, managed to make Zimmerman into a de facto assassin of a future president. This will increase, not reduce, tension. Look forward to more mobs of black hooligans.
And, yes, the Feds want your guns, and your money too, and also the Internet, and the 4th amendment was trashed long ago.
We are headed for a police state, but we'll be "safe."
This man is the worst of the worst and I wish he would go away. No mention of guns was mentioned other than the law needs to be changed so that this type of self defense cannot be legal. I would say he should go back to where he was born but we don't want him back in Canada. And that brings up another subject. How can he possibly run for POTUS when he was born in Canada. Some say, well his mother was a US citizen. Well hello so was Obama's mother but it didn't stop all the craziness about him.
What an ignoramus.
Obama clearly states that state's rights must be preserved.
Cruz is the joke those who voted for him deserve.
Ted Cruz: Currently vying for Least Intelligent Senator award. Thanks for another crack-pot, Texas. You sure can pick 'em!