JUNEAU - President Obama announces sweeping proposals for gun restrictions in an effort to curb gun violence. Wednesday (1/16) he bypassed Congress and signed 23 executive orders including a new ban on assault weapons and expanding background checks.

House speaker and republican from Nikiski, Rep. Mike Chenault, says Alaskans need to be a part of the process. He proposed HB 69, before Obama's executive orders, because of Alaskan's concern about their 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms.

If passed, HB 69 would make it a misdemeanor if a federal official tried to take a person's firearm and ammunition.

Chenault says he's not sure he'll have an 'easy time' getting the bill passed through the state house.

"There's going to be a lot of conversation about if it's constitutional is it not constitutional and I'm ready to have that debate," Chenault said. "Sometimes you attempt to enact laws to make sure the federal government understands where the citizens of the state of the Alaska stand."

The bill has been referred to the judiciary committee.