South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem sparked controversy after revealing how her 1-year-old granddaughter actually owns her gun and shotgun.
The Republican governor made the remarks during an appearance at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum in Indiana.
In a video uploaded to Twitter, Noem talks about her almost two-year-old granddaughter, Addie, and announces how she owns guns along with a pony named Sparkles.
“Little Miss Addie, who’s almost two years old, and Branch who’s only a few months old, they’ve brought us so much joy. They’ve brought us purpose,” Naeem told the gathered crowd.
Now Addie, you know – I’m going to need her soon, I want to assure you, she already has a shotgun and she really does have a shotgun and she has a little pony named Sparkles too. So the girl is set,” the governor added.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem sparked controversy after revealing how her 1-year-old granddaughter actually owns her gun and shotgun.
Gov. Noem, left, said Little Miss Addie, right, “She already has a shotgun and a shotgun.”
Noam has long been a staunch supporter of gun rights and used her speech at an NRA event to sign an executive order aimed at further protecting Second Amendment rights in South Dakota.
Her comments about Addy drew criticism online.
What is the phone number for South Dakota Child Care Services? ‘Someone needs to report this child neglect,’ said Jamie Roemfeld.
‘Absolutely disgusting.’ How the hell is this real life in America? Chris Jackson asked.
Tom Mallory noted, “A two-year-old who pulled the trigger on a gun he was holding over his shoulder is more likely to get shot.”
‘This can’t be real?!? What?!!?’ PJ Byrne shared with a note of doubt.
Those gun enthusiasts have lost their minds. They act like guns aren’t even dangerous to give a two-year-old, but they need an AK-47 to go to the drugstore. “The two-year-old doesn’t need or should have a gun,” Lonblond added.
Help me understand WTF what a 2 year old would do with a rifle and shotgun? I realize it might have been a gift from someone, but… wouldn’t a cute new outfit be more useful? tweeted Gary Orvold.
‘amazing. My two-year-old grandson has puzzles, books of musical instruments, hot wheels cars, and jumps off couches. where did I go wrong? added another grandfather.
Noam has long been a staunch supporter of gun rights, but her comments have been met with criticism
At the same event, former President Donald Trump crowned himself “the most pro-gun and pro-Second Amendment president” in the nation’s history.
“I will be your loyal friend and fearless hero again as the 47th President of the United States,” he told the audience, pledging to create a new tax credit to compensate teachers “for the full cost of a concealed firearm.” In addition to weapons training “from highly qualified experts”.
Trump’s appearance was his first public event since his arrest and trial in New York last week on criminal charges stemming from silent payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign.
His Secret Service protection meant that attendees could not bear arms at the convention.
The former president has made some references to the many investigations he faces. Instead of the government prosecuting hardened criminals, he complained, “the only person they want to prosecute is Donald Trump.”
The controversy surrounding Noem’s comments mirrors the controversy surrounding gun control and the Second Amendment in the United States.
The conference comes shortly after two mass shootings in the United States, including the shooting at Convent School in Nashville, Tennessee, in which three children and three adults were killed.
Five more people were killed on April 10 in a shooting at a bank in Kentucky.
Many Republicans argue that the right to bear arms is an essential part of American culture and a necessary protection against tyranny, while Democrats and progressives believe the proliferation of firearms poses a serious threat to public safety with stricter regulations to prevent gun violence.
The issue has become increasingly politicized in recent years, with both sides staunchly defending their positions.
The NRA-ILA Leadership Forum also featured former Vice President Mike Pence, who returned to his home state to address the crowd.
His appearance was met with loud boos from some in the audience, though there were some supporters in the audience as one person exclaimed, “I love you, Mike,” which Pence acknowledged.
The controversy surrounding Noem’s comments mirrors the controversy surrounding gun control and the Second Amendment in the United States
Governor Noem was joined on stage by NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre
