Sep 13, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Beto O'Rourke campaign reports Texas lawmaker's AR-15 tweet to FBI

Jacob Knutson

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks during the Democratic Presidential Debate. — Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks during the Democratic Presidential Debate on September 12, 2019 in Houston, Texas.

Beto O’Rourke's presidential campaign reported a tweet from a Texas state lawmaker to the FBI on Friday after the candidate described it as "a death threat," a campaign spokesperson told the Guardian.

The big picture: Briscoe Cain, a 34-year-old Republican who represents a district outside of Houston, tweeted "My AR is ready for you Robert Francis" after O’Rourke pledged during the third Democratic debate to enact a mandatory buyback program of all military-style rifles if elected.

What they're saying: Cain violated Twitter's rule that “You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people," a Twitter spokesperson told the Guardian. The platform removed the post.

Cain defended the tweet, saying it was a a version of "Come and take it," a popular slogan among American gun rights activists.

Of note: Security escorted Cain out of Texas' 2018 Democratic convention in Fort Worth after he appeared to carry a sidearm as part of a prank, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Go deeper: Where 2020 Democrats stand on gun control

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Beto O'Rourke campaign reports Texas lawmaker's AR-15 tweet to FBI

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