Ron Paul tweets controversial message on murdered Navy SEAL sniper

Former presidential candidate Ron Paul is taking heat for a tweet he sent out Monday afternoon about the Navy SEAL who was killed at a Texas gun range over the weekend.

Chris Kyle, 38, a decorated Iraq war veteran, a former SEAL and author of American Sniper, was shot and killed Saturday. Police arrested Eddie Ray Routh, 25, a veteran authorities say may have a mental illness related to his military service.

In response to the news, Paul tweeted: Chris Kyles death seems to confirm that hewho lives by the sword dies by the sword. Treating PTSD at a firing range doesnt make sense.

The tweet set off a chain reaction of criticism online.

Aaron Worthing (@AaronWorthing) responded: What the Hell, @RonPaul? Are you actually blaming Chris Kyle for his own death?

Michelle Lancaster (@SkiGarmisch) added, Very disrespectful commentary to this man, his memory and his family. Shame on you.

Razor (@hale.razor) wrote, So all veterans, once done serving our nation with honor, deserve to be murdered as civilians? Wow.

- Former Rep. Ron Paul, on Twitter

Calls and emails to Paul for comment were not immediately returned. He averages about two tweets a day, typically about policy issues ranging from immigration to the Federal Reserve.Paul, who is known for his anti-war views, retired as a long-time Texas congressman earlier this year.

Kyle, the most lethal sniper in the U.S., had 160 confirmed kills. He enlisted in the Navy in February 1999 and was discharged in November 2009. He had four tours in Iraq under his belt and received 14 different awards and decorations, including two Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. After leaving the Navy, he wrote his biography, American Sniper.

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Ron Paul tweets controversial message on murdered Navy SEAL sniper