When a delegation from Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America went to visit their Congressman, Ralph Norman [R-SC; @RalphNorman; (202) 225-5501; email], he drew a loaded handgun on them and placed it on the table between himself and his voters for “several minutes.”
The Congressman explained that he carried his gun because “I’m not going to be a Gabby Giffords. I don’t mind dying, but whoever shoots me better shoot well, or I’m shooting back.”
Gabby Giffords was a member of Congress who survived being shot in the head by a rampaging gunman in 2011. Her husband affirmed Norman’s position, in part, tweeting “Congressman Norman is right — he’s no Gabby Giffords. When I think of @GabbyGiffords, I think of courage and public service, not intimidating constituents.”
Norman told the Post and Courier that he had no regrets about pulling a loaded firearm on his constituents and that he plans to do it again: “I’m tired of these liberals jumping on the guns themselves as if they are the cause of the problem. Guns are not the problem.”
Lori Freemon, a volunteer who attended the meeting, said in a news release that she felt unsafe when Norman displayed his firearm.
“Rep. Norman’s behavior today was a far cry from what responsible gun ownership looks like,” Freemon said.
‘I’m not going to be a Gabby Giffords’: Congressman Ralph Norman pulls out loaded gun at constituent meeting [Marwa Eltagouri/Washington Post]
(via Naked Capitalism)