Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake (R) suggested that supporters “maybe strap on a Glock” after saying the “next six months is going to be intense” ahead of the 2024 election.
“He is willing to sacrifice everything I am — that’s why they’re coming after us with lawfare. They’re going to come after us with everything. That’s why the next six months is going to be intense,” Lake told supporters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., a video from NBC News showed.
“We need to strap on our … let’s see. What do we want to strap on?” Lake said. “We’re going to strap on our — our seat belt. We’re going to put on our helmet or your Kari Lake ball cap.”
“We are going to put on the armor of God,” she said to cheers from the crowd.
“Then maybe strap on a Glock on the side of us just in case. You can put one here and one in the back or one in the front — whatever you guys decide,” she said gesturing to her sides. “‘Cause we’re not going to be the victims of crime. We’re not going to have our Second Amendment taken away. We’re certainly not going to have our First Amendment taken away by these tyrants.”
Lake is running against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) for outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-Ariz.) seat. The Arizona Senate race is considered one of Republicans’ best chances to flip a seat in the upper chamber as they look to win back the Senate majority.
A Lake spokesperson told The Hill that “Kari Lake was clearly talking about Arizonans’ right to defend themselves. Especially given all the crime across the country. She will always support Arizonans’ constitutional rights.”
Democrats have sought to spotlight some of Lake’s past controversial comments, particularly on abortion. She’s previously lauded Arizona’s 1864 law and called the medical procedure the “ultimate sin.”
She’s also rankled Republicans for deriding the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Lake has sought to argue that some of her remarks were a joke and has tried to do outreach with Republicans whom she isolated last cycle, though some members of the GOP remain skeptical.
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