Columbine survivor Evan Todd asked Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke why he wouldn’t take gun bans further.
Todd asked the question at O’Rourke’s Aurora, Colorado, event Thursday — and a number of people were quick to seize on the emotion of the moment, assuming that he was asking because he was in favor of such a ban. (RELATED: Woman Confronts Beto O’Rourke Over His Anti-Gun Policies: ‘Hell No You’re Not’ Taking My Gun)
WATCH:
And there was this emotional moment. A Columbine survivor, Evan Todd, asked Beto to include all semi-automatic weapons in his proposed ban.
“I was the first student that was shot in the library. And I was the last one to talk to the two murderers before they committed suicide.” pic.twitter.com/wygPs1pn5h
— Jeffrey Cook (@JeffreyCook) September 20, 2019
Now: Evan Todd, the first student to be shot at Columbine, asks @BetoORourke why not ban all semiautomatic guns pic.twitter.com/Omy9Is1ByY
— Joe St. George (@JoeStGeorge) September 20, 2019
Those are samples of the sometimes-powerful exchanges here.
Evan Todd, who survived in the Columbine library, pushed Beto to go further – “The (mass) murders all happen with semi-automatics. Why not ban (them),” in addition to AR-15s etc.
— Jon Murray (@JonMurray) September 20, 2019
What most failed to mention was the fact that Todd is an outspoken defender of the Second Amendment. He works as the communications director for a group called Bullets Both Ways and is a vocal advocate for increasing school security and arming teachers. He even authored an open letter to then-President Barack Obama, outlining his opposition to proposed gun control measures.
Todd responded via Twitter, explaining, “I wanted a clear answer from Beto of where he draws the line, but never got one. To answer my own question on if we should ban guns, the answer is: HELL NO! As far as my stance on guns? The Second Amendment supports me.”
I wanted a clear answer from Beto of where he draws the line, but never got one. To answer my own question on if we should ban guns, the answer is: HELL NO! As far as my stance on guns? The Second Amendment supports me. https://t.co/2W0fPzn0aD
— Evan (@evanmtodd) September 20, 2019
ABC presidential campaign reporter Jeffrey Cook noted the correction Friday, tweeting, “And he wasn’t asking for semi-autos to be included in the ban. Todd, according to this tweet, wanted to know if O’Rourke would go there.”
And he wasn’t asking for semi-autos to be included in the ban. Todd, according to this tweet, wanted to know if O’Rourke would go there. https://t.co/WP6MDlsOWv
— Jeffrey Cook (@JeffreyCook) September 20, 2019
Upon further review of O’Rourke’s response, Todd said that the former Texas Congressman had answered his question after all.
When I listen back on Beto’s remarks a second time, he clearly states his intentions and that is a ban on everything. https://t.co/e9YFe8rZl6
— Evan (@evanmtodd) September 20, 2019
Todd’s stance was further outlined in a recent blog post where he wrote, “The restriction is not on the people, it is on government. The Second Amendment is quite simple. People have the right to protect their life, liberty, and property and the Second Amendment reminds elected servants of this fact. So remember that when a government outlaws guns, gun ownership does not become unlawful, the government does.”