By: Teresa Mull
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, said on Twitter the United States government has nuclear weapons it could use to persuade American unwilling to give up their “assault weapons.”
The Washington Examiner reports:
“So basically @RepSwalwell wants a war,” Joe Biggs tweeted in response to Swalwell proposing a ban on “military-style semiautomatic assault weapons” and forcing owners to sell their weapons or face prosecution.
“Because that’s what you would get,” he continued. “You’re outta your f#cking mind if you think I’ll give up my rights and give the gov all the power.”
Swalwell responded: “And it would be a short war my friend. The government has nukes. Too many of them. But they’re legit. I’m sure if we talked we could find common ground to protect our families and communities.”
Swalwell then tried to cover his tracks by claiming his nukes comment was “sarcasm.”
According to the Examiner, “Swalwell is considered a possible contender against President Trump in 2020 and has made several visits to early primary voting states in the last year.”
Swalwell’s Tweets are reprinted below:
So basically @RepSwalwell wants a war. Because that’s what you would get. You’re outta your fucking mind if you think I’ll give up my rights and give the gov all the power. https://t.co/bK1GVyjFej
— Joe Biggs (@Rambobiggs) November 16, 2018
Don’t be so dramatic. No one is nuking anyone or threatening that. I’m telling you this is not the 18th Century. The argument that you would go to war with your government if an assault weapons ban was in place is ludicrous and inflames the gun debate. Which is what you want. https://t.co/oX0rY7Nbs1
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018
America’s gun debate in one thread.
1) I propose a buy-back of assault weapons
2) Gun owner says he’ll go to war with USA if that happens
3) I sarcastically point out USA isn’t losing to his assault weapon (it’s not the 18th Century)
4) I’m called a tyrant
5) 0 progress
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018
Teresa Mull is editor of Gunpowder Magazine. Contact her at [email protected].