An Arizona congressional candidate suggested Democrats are to blame for committing nearly all mass shootings in America.
When asked about his position on gun rights during a Republican primary debate Saturday, businessman and rancher Gary Kiehne boasted of owning more guns and ammunition than any of his opponents, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
As for mass shootings, “if you look at all the fiascoes that have occurred, 99% of them have been by Democrats pulling their guns out and shooting people,” Kiehne said, according to the local newspaper. “So I don’t think you have a problem with the Republicans.”
Kiehne on Monday apologized for his "inaccurate and incorrect" remarks made during the heat of the debate.
“I’ve always believed that when you make a mistake, you should own up to it. Too many politicians today offer nothing but spin and excuses when they say something they shouldn’t have,” Kiehne said in a statement. “I’m not going to do that. Simply put, I shouldn’t have made the comment, and I want to offer my apology for making it without any reservations.”
Kiehne is competing in an Aug. 26 primary election against State Rep. Adam Kwasman and House Speaker Andy Tobin. The winner of that primary will square off against Democratic incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick.