Joe Biden: Beto's 'Passion' for Gun Confiscation is 'Inspiring'
Former vice president heaps praise on 2020 Democrat drop-out
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Former Vice President Joe Biden heaped praise on Democratic 2020 drop-out Beto O'Rourke, saying his "passion" for gun confiscation is "inspiring."
Biden was responding to news that former Texas Democrat Rep. O'Rourke was dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination.
The former VP pointed to O’Rourke’s anti-Second Amendment pledge to push for gun control by confiscating automatic rifles from law-abiding American citizens.
Beto's gun control efforts were characterized by his vows to force people to hand over their AR-15 and AK-47 rifles to his government.
During a Democrat Debate on September 12, 2019, Beto stated, “Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15.”
He then doubled-down on his pledge by telling MSNBC the confiscatory policy would be “mandatory” not voluntary.
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According to Breitbart, days later, CNN’s Chris Cuomo asked O’Rourke if he was really intent on confiscating certain firearms.
O’Rourke answered, “Yes” and emphasized his confiscatory goals were centered on AR-15 and AK-47 rifles and their variants.
On October 16, 2019, Breitbart News reported O’Rourke’s admission law enforcement would be sent to visit those who refused to comply with the AR-15 ban.
He told MSNBC’s Morning Joe:
"I think just as, in any law that is not followed, or flagrantly abused, there have to be consequences, or else there is no respect for the law.
"In that case, I think there would be a visit by law enforcement to recover that firearm and to make sure that it is purchased, bought back, so that it cannot be, potentially used against someone else."
O’Rourke’s confiscation plans did not translate into support in the polls and he dropped out of the race on Friday, November 1.
Biden reacted to O’Rourke’s decision to pull out by tweeting about O’Rourke’s “leadership” and specifically declaring that “his passion for solving our gun crisis has been inspiring to anyone who has seen him.”
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Earlier this year, Biden claimed that the Second Amendment doesn't say that Americans are "entitled" to own guns as he reaffirmed his position concerning the Constitution.
Biden acknowledged that the “Second Amendment exists” but argued during a speech at a campaign stop in New Hampshire in May that it doesn't say that Americans are “entitled” to own a gun.
Biden made the comments while taking questions at a small outdoor venue.
“By the way, if one of you left the keys in your car down the street, and a kid comes along and jumps in it and takes off, you could be held liable civilly for that," Biden explained to a small crowd of his supporters.
"So if you own a gun, put a damn trigger lock on it. Put it in a case.
"You have an obligation.”
