Presidential hopeful Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke has oft-repeated the claim that Texas gun owners are eager to have their guns, such as their legally owned AR-15s and AK-47s, confiscated from them by the government.
On Saturday, for example, the Democrat told MSNBC’s Joy Reid, “Texans who own AR-15s, they’ve told me, ‘I don’t need this. I don’t need it to hunt, I don’t need it to protect myself … if giving this back, or cutting it to pieces, or selling it to the gov helps to keep us safer, then by all means do it,'” reported The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra.
On the same day, Texas Tribune’s Patrick Svitek reported that O’Rourke claimed a “longtime Republican” spoke to him in the bathroom while they were urinating, telling the Democrat he’s all in for the gun confiscation.
“New O’Rourke anecdote: He says a longtime Republican chatted him up today in [Buc-ee’s Beaver] bathroom on guns,” posted Svitek. “He said, ‘This is gonna be strange — not strange that I’m talking to you while we’re both at a urinal … but strange because I’m telling you you’re absolutely right on guns.'”
O’Rourke echoed similar suspect claims during last week’s Democratic presidential primary debate, and at other campaign events.
The stories from Mr. O’Rourke have grabbed the attention of actual Texas gun owners.
The Blaze’s Jason Howerton, for example, took the Democrat to task over the claim. “Hey, [Beto O’Rourke], actual Texan here,” he wrote. “I regret to inform you that your request to buy my legally purchased firearms has been denied after your background check revealed a criminal record.”
“Don’t want to take any chances. Xoxo,” Howerton said, adding a kiss-face emoji.
Ouch.
Howerton was referring to the failed Senate candidate’s past run-in with the law. In 1998, O’Rourke was arrested for drunk driving. According to the Houston Chronicle, the police report, which was newly obtained by the outlet last year, claimed that “there was a crash involved” and that “O’Rourke allegedly attempted to flee.”
Saavedra reported last August:
“A reporter who witnessed the crash said that he observed O’Rourke traveling at a ‘high rate of speed’ in a 75-mph zone as O’Rourke then ‘lost control of the vehicle and struck a truck.’
O’Rourke then reportedly attempted to flee the scene of the crash after hitting someone, but the reporter was there to stop him from getting away.”
Other Texans pushed back on O’Rourke’s tales of gun owners, too.
“Texan here,” said Red State’s Brandon Morse. “I rate this a Texas sized lie.”
“As an American who lived in Texas for a year, I feel confident in saying this is bull,” wrote Daily Caller associate editor Virginia Kruta.
Managing Director of Breitbart Texas Brandon Darby posted: “I’m as Texan as anyone and this is BS. Born in Pasadena, Texas.”
Daily Wire Editor-at-Large Josh Hammer, who has lived in both Houston and Dallas, told “Beto” to “come and take it,” captioning a piece he penned, titled: “I Will Never, Ever Let The Government ‘Buy Back’ My ‘Assault Weapon.'”