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Trump: ‘Second Amendment people’ could deal with Clinton

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Donald Trump set off a fierce new controversy Tuesday with remarks about the right to bear arms that were interpreted by many as a thre...

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Donald Trump set off a fierce new controversy Tuesday with remarks about the right to bear arms that were interpreted by many as a threat of violence against Hillary Clinton.

“Hillary wants to abolish — essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know,” Trump said.

He added: “But I tell you what, that will be a horrible day, if Hillary gets to put her judges in, right now we’re tied.”

Trump’s ambiguous comments alarmed some political observers as to whether he was threatening her life or calling for increased political activity.

Robby Mook, Clinton’s campaign manager, issued a two-sentence statement in response to Trump.

“This is simple — what Trump is saying is dangerous. A person seeking to the be president of the United States should not suggest violence in any way,” he said.

But Jason Miller, Trump’s senior communications adviser, said Trump was merely talking about Second Amendment supporters’ large influence as a group.

“It’s called the power of unification — 2nd Amendment people have amazing spirit and are tremendously unified, which gives them great political power. And this year, they will be voting in record numbers, and it won’t be for Hillary Clinton, it will be for Donald Trump,” he said.

US Secret Service communications director Cathy Milhoan told CNN the agency “is aware of Mr. Trump’s comments.”

The former head of the CIA, retired Gen. Michael Hayden, told CNN’s Jake Tapper: “If someone else had said that said outside the hall, he’d be in the back of a police wagon now with the Secret Service questioning him.”

Hayden added: “You’re not just responsible for what you say. You are responsible for what people hear.”

“That was more than a speed bump. That is actually a very arresting comment. It suggests either a very bad taste with reference to political assassination and an attempt at humor or an incredible insensitivity — it maybe the latter — an incredible insensitivity to the prevalence of political assassination inside of American history,” Hayden said. “That is a topic that we don’t ever come close to, even when we think we are trying to be lighthearted.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, who supports increased gun control measures, tweeted: “Don’t treat this as a political misstep. It’s an assassination threat, seriously upping the possibility of a national tragedy & crisis.”

But the National Rifle Association said Trump was “right” and encouraged members to vote on Election Day.

And Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, told WCAU TV in Philadelphia that “Donald Trump was very clear.”

“Hillary Clinton’s made it very clear that she wants to see changes in the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” he said. “(What) Donald Trump is clearly saying is that people who cherish that right, who believe that firearms in the hands of law-abiding citizens makes our communities more safe, not less safe, should be involved in the political process and let their voice be heard.”

Tim Kaine, Clinton’s running mate, said Trump’s remarks show “just no understanding for the role of leader.”

“I just think it’s a window into the soul of a person who is tempermentally not suited for the task,” he said.

Trump sought to rally voters Tuesday highlighting the next president’s role in selecting Supreme Court justices and his commitment to the Second Amendment.

The candidate has repeatedly suggested that Clinton will “abolish” the Second Amendment.

The former secretary of state has never called for the abolition of gun rights, but has called for additional gun regulations and safety checks to reduce the number of deadly gun shootings in the US.

Trump has vowed not to further restrict gun purchases in the US and earned the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, the pro-gun lobby.

Trump’s comments were the latest example of his unscripted style causing him political headaches, at a time when he has been trying to get his campaign back on track after a string of self inflicted political missteps last week.

 

 

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