Despite the disproportionately high number of mass shootings in the United States compared to other developed nations, gun rights advocates insist that any and all firearm regulations (or even studies of such regulations) is an affront to the Second Amendment. According to them, the Second Amendment ensures that citizens can use firearms to protect themselves against a government with a $700+ billion dollar defense budget.
Far-right Congressman Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina is one such promoter of this claim. He recently praised the Viet Cong militia as an example that everyday people with guns can defeat an entire nation's defense systems, failing to acknowledge that the Viet Cong had funding from the North Vietnam Military, China, and the Soviet Union.
Despite the availability of assault weapons—firearms designed to kill as many people in as little time possible—Cawthorn is now insisting that all of the same weapons available to the U.S. Military should be available to American civilians as well.
It is long past time we update our small arms arsenal and ammunition in this country. \n\nWhy are we using a slightly upgraded version of a Vietnam War era weapon? \n\nLet\u2019s make Halo look obsolete with our armaments.— Rep. Madison Cawthorn (@Rep. Madison Cawthorn) 1634133584
(When I say armaments, I make no distinction in military or civilian weapons, they should be the same.)
— Rep. Madison Cawthorn (@RepCawthorn) October 13, 2021
The 26 year old Cawthorn called for an expansion of our small arms arsenal that would "make Halo look obsolete," before claiming that military and civilian weapons "should be the same."
People considered his comments delusional and even extremist.
This is who North Carolina has representing them. \nThis man is a complete idiot & a danger to this state. #votehimouthttps://twitter.com/RepCawthorn/status/1448287339105636367\u00a0\u2026— Kristen (@Kristen) 1634145681
When you think mass casualty shootings at schools and markets aren't deadly enough, Rep. Cawthorn is your advocate.— Kentucky Sparky (@Kentucky Sparky) 1634136178
Geez Maddy - do you think you can be MORE clear about wanting an armed insurrection against the government?— Dawn Martindale-Gulick -gulick NOW! #FreeDawn (@Dawn Martindale-Gulick -gulick NOW! #FreeDawn) 1634143304
They inundated him with sarcastic orders of military grade equipment.
Cool. Where do order my tank & crate of grenades?— JBlanchard (@JBlanchard) 1634145479
RPG's for everyone!! I'll go buy a HiLux and mount machine guns in the bed!!— George T. Berish (@George T. Berish) 1634134894
So you will personally approve my acquisition request for an armed nuclear weapon of my choice?\n\nOh goody. I can't wait!— gladyskanbee (@gladyskanbee) 1634135252
I'm ordering my M1A1 tank right now! Can't afford my 155mm howitzer yet, but maybe next year.— Dan Gallagher (@Dan Gallagher) 1634141241
Oh goody. I'll be ordering a fully functional tank then. What could POSSIBLY go wrong? \nI'll take an AT4 while I'm at it. I loved firing that in basic.— JustJennKat (@JustJennKat) 1634133735
Fantastic. I want an A-29B with M255A1s and R9X.pic.twitter.com/RmgBRAXC2v— Trigger (@Trigger) 1634143886
Cawthorn's comments came the same day he said, against evidence, that the only extremism in the U.S. Military was an "extreme level of patriotism."
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