Beto says he isn’t ‘interested’ in ‘taking’ guns ‘from anyone,’ wants to defend Second Amendment – Fox News

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Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke appeared to back off his 2019 statement that "hell yes" he intends to take guns away from citizens if elected to office.

"Im not interested in taking anything from anyone," ORourke told reporters in Tyler, Texas on Tuesday, according to KLTV. "What I want to make sure that we do is defend the Second Amendment."

FILE - Texas Democrat gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks during a campaign event (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) (AP)

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While running for president in 2020, ORourke famously pledged to take guns away from American citizens if elected president.

AUSTIN, TX - JUNE 08: Texas Governor Greg Abbott attends a press conference where he signed Senate Bills 2 and 3 at the Capitol on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)

"Hell yes, were going to take your AR-15, your AK-47," the El Paso, Texas native said. "Were not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore."

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Last November, ORourke stood by that remark shortly after announcing his bid for governor telling CNNs Jake Tapper, "I still hold that view."

ORourke explained to reporters on Tuesday that his position on guns is based on his desire to "listen to law enforcement."

In this Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, (Associated Press)

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"I want to make sure that we protect our fellow Texans far better than were doing right now," ORourke said. "And that we listen to law enforcement, which Greg Abbott refused to do. He turned his back on them when he signed that permitless carry bill that endangers the lives of law enforcement in a state thats seen more cops and sheriffs deputies gunned down than in any other."

The Texas gubernatorial primary is scheduled to take place on March 1 where ORourke is expected to move on to the general election to face the states current Republican Gov. Greg Abbott provided he survives a primary opposition from more than half a dozen contenders, including former Texas GOP chair Allen West, a former congressman from Florida, and former state Sen. Don Huffines.

According to the US Concealed Carry Association, 21 states including Maine currently have permitless carry.

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Beto says he isn't 'interested' in 'taking' guns 'from anyone,' wants to defend Second Amendment - Fox News