Rep Eric Swalwell to resistant gun owners: “it would be a short war my friend. The government has nukes.”
How quickly Democrats went from “we only want sensible restrictions to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the insane” to “we will nuke your ass if you don’t hand over your weapons”
California Congressman Eric Swalwell (D) has found himself at the center of a viral story about gun control after suggesting on Twitter that the government could use nuclear weapons on its own people if they don’t submit to gun confiscation.
Everyone knows Democrats are all-in for gun control, but nukes? Really?
It all began when John Cardillo of Newsmax tweeted out this article about Swalwell and gun control:
Make no mistake, Democrats want to eradicate the Second Amendment, ban and seize all guns, and have all power rest with the state.
These people are dangerously obsessed with power. https://t.co/f1AS6Me0ko
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) November 16, 2018
Which was followed by this exchange:
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.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018
Then came this:
Don’t be so dramatic. You claiming you need a gun to protect yourself against the government is ludicrous. But you seem like a reasonable person. If an assault weapons ban happens, I’m sure you’ll follow law.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018
That set off a firestorm of reactions.
Stephen Miller of FOX News:
Claiming you need guns to protect yourself from the government is ridiculous.
Also, if you don’t turn in your guns we’re going to nuke the fuck out of you. pic.twitter.com/IdphV73nGy
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) November 16, 2018
Professor Jacobson:
How quickly Democrats went from “we only want sensible restrictions to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the insane” to “we will nuke your ass if you don’t hand over your weapons” – that’s what Dems regaining some power does https://t.co/G2ank3YOzE
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) November 16, 2018
David Freddoso of the Washington Examiner:
Here is an actual member of the U.S. Congress talking about using nuclear weapons against Americans. https://t.co/5yI0EnyTPy
— David Freddoso (@freddoso) November 16, 2018
Stephen Gutowski of the Free Beacon, who happens to be one of the most knowledgeable reporters working today on the subject of guns:
So, uh, California Democrat @RepSwalwell just suggested the government would nuke those who resist a gun confiscation effort. https://t.co/bNORlqxSmL
— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) November 16, 2018
Ben Domenech of the Federalist:
“NUKE THE NRA is a bold 2020 slogan, Cotton, let’s see how it works out for him.” https://t.co/xkaAHZVVpe
— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) November 16, 2018
Rob Province, whom I have sometimes called the Iowahawk of guns:
The guy bringing nukes to the table says you’re being dramatic.
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) November 16, 2018
Even the NRA:
.@RepSwalwell suggested using nuclear weapons against Americans who oppose his gun control agenda. This includes forcing Americans to give up their semi-automatic firearms. This inflammatory and decisive rhetoric will inspire gun owners to fight harder to protect their rights. pic.twitter.com/FcpwoSqtYO
— NRA (@NRA) November 17, 2018
Naturally, Swalwell thinks he is the victim in all this:
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
In case you aren’t aware, Eric Swalwell has been talking about confiscating guns, with the more palatable language of “buybacks” for months. In May of this year, he wrote the following in an op-ed for USA Today:
Ban assault weapons, buy them back, go after resisters: Ex-prosecutor in Congress
Reinstating the federal assault weapons ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 would prohibit manufacture and sales, but it would not affect weapons already possessed. This would leave millions of assault weapons in our communities for decades to come.
Instead, we should ban possession of military-style semiautomatic assault weapons, we should buy back such weapons from all who choose to abide by the law, and we should criminally prosecute any who choose to defy it by keeping their weapons. The ban would not apply to law enforcement agencies or shooting clubs.
Shortly after the publication of that column, he appeared on the Tucker Carlson show and things went exactly as you would probably expect. Watch:
Featured image via YouTube.
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