Meghan McCain sat stone-faced Tuesday as Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams drew raucous applause for her plans to advocate for tougher gun laws in the Peach State.
Appearing on “The View” via satellite, Abrams addressed the tight governor’s race between she and Republican opponent Brian Kemp, as well as issues of voter suppression and gun control, the latter of which has been at the forefront of the national conversation following the massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Oct. 27.
Meghan McCain (left) implied that Georgia candidate Stacey Abrams would round up folks guns if she was elected governor. (The View/video screenshot)
Eleven people died in the shooting and several others were injured, city officials said.
McCain, 33, noted Abrams’ endorsement from anti-gun group Everytown USA and her F-rating with the National Rifle Association before pressing the Democratic candidate on her stance on AR-15 assault rifles and whether they should be banned.
Abrams made it clear she’s a firm believer in the Second Amendment and even grew up shooting with her great-grandmother but argued that certain weapons do not belong in civilian hands.
“So, let’s be clear. I am not anti-gun…,” she began. “However, I know the most responsible gun owners understand that they have the responsibility for their firearms and making sure only responsible people have those firearms.”
Abrams continued, “I believe in a background check. I believe in a three-day waiting period. I believe that those who commit domestic violence and stalking shouldn’t have access to weapons. And I do not believe weapons of mass destruction, like the AR-15, belong in civilian hands.”
“So you think they should be banned?” McCain asked again, over audience applause.
“I do,” Abrams replied. “I think they should be prohibited from civilian use.”
The Georgia candidate noted that while America’s favorite rifle packs a powerful punch, it also causes “an amazing amount of destruction.” She added that believing in responsible gun ownership and wanting tighter gun regulations aren’t mutually exclusive.
“We have to believe as a nation that when our communities are vulnerable, when you can’t go into a synagogue, or a church or a school or a movie theater without fear for your life, there’s something wrong with our system of gun ownership,” said Abrams.
“I appreciate your honesty,” McCain said after implying that Abrams would round up everyone’s assault rifles if she were elected governor.
Viewers couldn’t help but notice the co-host’s visible agitation, however, and quickly called her out on it.
“Meghan McCain wasn’t ready to do battle with a real woman of substance,” one person wrote on Twitter. “Way to go Governor Abrams!”
“1/2 Nice try @MeghanMcCain,” wrote another. “Ending your questioning of Stacey Abrams by thanking her for being honest about her wanting to ban AR-15’s. Dog whistle much? She owned you in her response.”
Watch more in the video below.
