What’s ‘Joe the Plumber’ up to these days? He’s giving away an AR-15

After an unsuccessful bid for Congress last year, Joe Wurzelbacher, better known as "Joe the Plumber," recently launched a new conservative advocacy website—and announced this week he's giving away an AR-15 rifle to promote it.

"Despite what national news commentators say, the AR 15 is NOT an 'assault weapon' or 'weapon of mass destruction,'" the site reads. "In honor of this magnificent rifle, JoeForAmerica.com is giving away a new AR 15 to the lucky man or woman who wins this drawing."

In the wake of a string of deadly mass shootings, Congress is considering new rules for gun ownership, including increased background checks and bans on certain weapons. The AR-15 is one of the weapons that some Democratic lawmakers hope to ban as part of the effort. Wurzelbacher said he's giving away the rifle, valued at $1,200, as a form of protest, saying he was inspired by Vice President Joe Biden, who on Tuesday told an audience to buy a shotgun instead of an AR-15.

"Ever since Obama’s election team and media thugs made me famous for asking a simple question in 2008, I’ve had more than my share of death threats by people who are by definition at least a little crazy," Wurzelbacher wrote on his site. "Guns are in my house. High capacity, loaded, and not locked in a safe."