Sen. Orrin Hatch: 'I Don't Think There's Any Question' Obama Wants to Repeal the 2nd Amendment

AP

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said Thursday he doesn't think there's "any question" that President Barack Obama would like that repeal the Second Amendment.

Hatch made the comment during an interview with conservative radio host Laura Ingraham, who asked, "Do you think, if he had his druthers, President Obama would repeal the Second Amendment?" according to the Huffington Post.

"I don't think there's any question about it. Most liberal Democrats would," Hatch responded. "I don't know of any liberal Republicans that would, but most liberal Democrats would. They'll mouth that they wouldn't, but look, what are they doing? They want more and more controls."

Obama has repeatedly professed his "respect" for the Second Amendment in his quest for stricter gun control measures. In unveiling a series of executive actions to combat gun violence last month, he said, "Like most Americans, I believe the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to bear arms. I respect our strong tradition of gun ownership and the rights of hunters and sportsmen."

Hatch, who survived a Tea Party-backed primary challenge 66 percent to 34 percent before winning re-election last year, has been vocal in his opposition to background checks for gun buyers.

"One reason most conservatives are very concerned about universal background checks is that's the beginning of the end of government controlling every aspect of our lives," Hatch said Thursday.

He called gun control proposals from Democrats "really all political" and added: "This president never misses a political advantage."

​Editor's note: This post has been corrected to show that Sen. Orrin Hatch beat his primary election opponent with 66 percent of the vote.