Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) had a simple message for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and failed candidate Beto O'Rourke: If they want to start confiscating AR-15s from law-abiding gun owners, then they can try and take the one that hangs up in his Washington, D.C. office.
"I have a message for Joe Biden and Beto O’Rourke, if you want to take everyone’s AR-15s in America, why don’t you swing by my office in Washington, D.C. and start with this one," Buck said as he took the AR-15 off of the wall. "Come and take it."
"I have always been a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and will continue to stand up to any attacks on the law-abiding gun owners of Colorado’s Fourth District," Buck said in a press release.
I have just one message for Joe Biden and Beto O’Rourke, if you want to take everyone’s AR-15s, why don’t you swing by my office in Washington, D.C. and start with this one?
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) March 6, 2020
Come and take it. #2A pic.twitter.com/jG2SiXetov
Buck sent his message after Biden enthusiastically said O'Rourke would lead the effort on gun control if he becomes president.
"I'm gonna guarantee you this is not the last you've seen of this guy," the former vice president said. "You're going to take care of the gun problem with me. You're gonna to be the one who leads this effort. I'm counting on you. I'm counting on you. We need you badly, the state needs you, the country needs you."
O'Rourke went all in on gun control to try to boost his failing presidential campaign after a gunman targeted a Walmart in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. Twenty-two people were killed in the shooting. The gunman had written a manifesto where he expressed hatred for Latinos and chose the location because of the large number of Hispanics that live in El Paso.
O'Rourke went on to proudly declare during a primary debate, "Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47!" When he was pressed about his statement during an MSNBC interview on what would happen to gun owners who refuse to hand in their firearms, O'Rourke said police would have to take them away.
The AR-15 in Buck's office has been in place since 2015, according to the Washington Post. While AR-15s are banned for the average citizen in the nation's capital, Lt. Kimberly Schneider, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Capitol Police, said members of Congress "may maintain firearms within the confines of their office" and members "and any employee or agent of any Member of Congress may transport" weapons within the Capitol grounds as long as the "firearms are unloaded and securely wrapped."
.@TGowdySC stopped by today and we got a photo with my AR-15 #2A #SecondAmendment @TPPatriots @TeaPartyExpress pic.twitter.com/FhnAlyqTeW
— Congressman Ken Buck (@RepKenBuck) April 16, 2015
Buck told the Post he checked with everyone to ensure he was not breaking any rules for wanting to hang the rifle on his wall.
"I went to the Ethics Committee; I got permission to accept the gift" from a business. "I went to Capitol Hill police; I got permission to bring it into my office. They went to the D.C. police; they got permission for me to transport it into the District. I went to TSA, and followed all of the regulations in getting it onto the plane and getting it here," he said.
In addition to having a trigger lock and being unloaded at all times, the AR-15 is missing the bolt carrier group.