GOP presidential candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) had some strong words for a gun rights activist on Saturday at a town hall event in Iowa, according to a CNN video.
The man, who CNN reported was affiliated with Iowa Gun Owners advocacy group, was critical of Christie’s stance on guns. But the governor pushed back in classic Christie fashion.
“If you have a point of view, that’s fine, but have some facts to back it up. What are your facts to back up that I’m anti-gun?” Christie said.
The man asked Christie whether he’d “be anything other than a President Michael Bloomberg” when it comes to gun rights.
“Well, because it’s not true. So let’s start with that,” Christie answered, setting off about a four-minute impassioned response, according to CNN.
Christie and the man went back and forth, debating Christie’s actions as governor related to the Second Amendment.
“I understand you’ve got a point of view. But your point of view is dead wrong. Go ahead and look at the record,” Christie said.
Christie began citing ways he has been pro-gun while in office.
The man responded that Christie was “strong-armed” into New Jersey legislation that loosened some regulations for gun owners.
To which Christie responded that the man was “interpreting intent.”
“Who’s muscled me?” Christie countered.
“Gun owners,” the man responded.
Christie ripped into the man:
Well listen here’s the news for anybody who’s governor or President. You’re not emperor or dictator. People in my state want to change these laws, elect a Republican legislature and the laws will be changed. You keep a Democratic legislature, they’re going to be the way they are.
So the fact is, I have no problem with defending my record against questions from folks like you or anybody else. But what you’re obligated to do, with all due respect, is have a few facts at your disposal and not just an impression that you want to have because your impression is wrong and the facts are wrong.
Watch the full video from CNN:
