Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., on Wednesday accused President Obama of sending mixed messages in pursuing his priorities of reforming the criminal justice system and reducing gun violence.
In a hearing with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Shelby noted that Obama has recently commuted the sentences of large numbers of drug offenders, some of whom were also convicted on gun charges. Shelby said that action makes no sense in light of Obama’s push to limit access to weapons.
“Commuting the sentences of felons with firearms convictions is disturbing,” Shelby told Lynch, who was testifying about Obama’s executive actions that narrow the definition of gun dealers and say background checks on all would-be gun buyers would be enforced by his administration.
“This sends a message to criminals that if you commit a crime with a gun, this administration won’t go hard on you, perhaps will go easy on you,” Shelby said, and asked Lynch if the move sends “mixed messages” on guns.
Lynch responded by saying the record of any felon whose sentence was commuted was “carefully reviewed and carefully vetted,” before receiving a reduced sentence. Additionally, reviewers considering applicants for the president’s clemency project look at whether the criminal would have received a much shorter sentence if their drug offense didn’t carry a mandatory minimum. Additionally, those shown leniency have to be “non-violent” offenders, Lynch said.
In her opening remarks, Lynch countered those who said Obama overstepped and are suing the administration to halt his actions.
“I have complete confidence that the common-sense steps announced by the president are lawful,” Lynch said. “They are consistent with the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court and the laws passed by Congress. For example, the Gun Control Act lists the people who are not allowed to have firearms, such as felons, domestic abusers and others. Congress has required that background checks be conducted as part of sales made by federally licensed firearms dealers to make sure that guns stay out of the wrong hands.”
“The action announced by the president, which focus on background checks and keeping guns out of the wrong hands, are fully consistent with the laws passed by Congress,” she said.
