U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski on Wednesday expressed opposition to President Obama’s gun control measures, more specifically his planned executive actions that she says could violate gun rights.

Instead, the Republican 2nd District lawmaker from Elkhart, a strong gun rights proponent, said one of the focuses should be on mental health care.

“Enactment of future legislation must strike a balance to protect the rights of responsible Americans, while keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill and those who intend to cause harm to others,” she said in a statement.

She said she doesn’t support “the overwhelming executive actions in the president’s plan that could violate the gun ownership rights of law-abiding citizens.” Congress should take a “bipartisan approach” to the matter, focusing on better access to mental health care “instead of forcing gun restrictions.”

Obama earlier Wednesday announced a slew of gun control measures and proposals prompted by the Newtown, Conn., school killings, including numerous executive actions that don’t require the support of lawmakers. The alleged gunman had mental health problems, according to news reports.

Walorski, a freshman legislator, took office Jan. 3 and made her maiden speech on the U.S. House floor Tuesday evening, pushing for spending cuts as debate over the U.S. debt ceiling looms.