Chris Christie Shuts Down Gun Rights Activist In Fierce Exchange [Video]

Keeping with the theme of his presidential campaign “telling it like it is,” Chris Christie ripped into a gun activist in Iowa who questioned the New Jersey governor’s record on 2nd amendment issues. The one-sided debate left little question about the candidate’s position on gun rights, or telling the truth.

The activist, who affiliated himself with the group Iowa Gun Owners, started off by explaining that gun rights groups from all over the country have accused Christie of being “anti-gun.” He went on to ask how the governor would assure owners that he would not be a “President Michael Bloomberg,” if elected.

That did not sit well with presidential contender, who responded to the accusations saying “it’s not true.”

The activist brought up a ban on .50-caliber rifles that made its way through the state legislature according to the Huffington Post, which the governor immediately reminded the audience he vetoed.

The audience member then tried to move on to Brian Fletcher, who was arrested on gun charges, asking why Christie hadn’t pardoned the man. The governor explained that he doesn’t grant pardons in 15-minutes, but Fletcher’s case was under consideration, pointing out that he had pardoned three other people charged on gun-related offenses.

By that point in the exchange, the gun rights activist seemed to be running out of ammunition, but Chris Christie wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.

“Come up with one fact that shows one thing I’ve done as governor in New Jersey that’s done anything, anything not to support the rights of legal gun owners. Don’t come in front of this group of people and lie about my record, which is what you did.”

The audience replied with applause.

The activist finally started to press Chris Christie on an old campaign ad. According to CNN, the spot criticized the governor’s political opponent for opposing an assault rifle ban. The presidential contender had another quick answer for the man.

“That ad was from 1995. Let me ask you this, if you haven’t changed your mind once in 20 years, if you haven’t changed your mind in 20 years on any issue, then I’ll tell you, you’re not a thinking, breathing, living human being.”

Christie dug in the point saying, “I’m still waiting for one fact from you, one fact about me being anti-gun. Give me one. One fact. Got one?”

The exchange lasted about four minutes, with audience members seemingly cringing on the edge of their seats. In the end, Chris Christie proved, once again, that he’s not afraid of confronting his critics, no matter how tense it becomes.

[Image Credit: Getty Images]