GOP State Senator Runs Ad Saying She's 'Not Afraid To Shoot' Gun Control Groups Down
Last week, a Republican Virginia state lawmaker ran a Facebook ad warning gun control advocacy groups she is “not afraid to shoot” them down. Now she’s blaming the language on a digital media company she said was hired to work on it.
The initial ad run by state Sen. Amanda Chase, who represents Chesterfield County, read, “I’m not afraid to shoot down gun groups.”
In a statement Friday, Chase called the “ludicrous unauthorized” message a mistake, releasing an edited ad that reads, “I’m not afraid to shoot down any attacks by anti-gun groups, because gun rights are women’s rights.”
According to the senator, the change isn’t meant to be a mea culpa.
“This has nothing to do with me toning down my message; it has everything to do with the digital media company we just recently hired screwing up our original approved ad,” she said, accusing the company of altering the approved ad after it was submitted.
However, not everyone is accepting Chase’s explanation, and her Democratic opponent Amanda Pohl tweeted that it was an example of her “dangerous rhetoric.”
“Gun violence prevention advocates and constituents deserve an apology not excuses,” Pohl wrote.
Chase’s first ad has also sparked backlash from the state’s Democratic party, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and Parkland, Florida, shooting survivor David Hogg, who called out the senator online.
On the same day that @GiffordsCourage endorsed over 40 Virginia Democrats, @AmandaChaseVA released an ad saying she would "shoot down" gun violence prevention groups
Inciting violence like this is beyond dangerous. She needs to delete the adhttps://t.co/x1wEne2zy1— Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) September 20, 2019
If you're as disgusted by this as I am, then support our Democratic nominee @pohlforvirginia. She's been named a "Gun Sense Candidate" by @MomsDemand and she'll be a voice and a vote for commonsense gun safety measures. Contribute now! https://t.co/vdgFSAC27k https://t.co/8IzTU5PtCF
— Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) September 21, 2019
🚨 VA state senator #AmandaChase just threatened to shoot and kill children that support gun control 🚨
If you threaten to shoot children that simply don’t want to die you shouldn’t be able to own a gun— let alone be an elected official.
Call Sen Chases office
804-698-7511 pic.twitter.com/g88lAhJJ6O— David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954 (@davidhogg111) September 21, 2019
The name of the digital agency purportedly involved has not yet been released, though Chase said one of its representatives “admitted fault.” She has vowed to reveal the name of the company if it does not publicly apologize by noon on Monday.
Related coverage
If Texas Is Going To Turn Blue, It Starts With This Special Election
Kids Use Back-To-School Supplies To Escape Shooter In Shocking Gun Safety Ad
Gunmaker Colt Suspends AR-15 Production For Civilians
Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.