Arizona GOP Candidate Apologizes for Saying Dems Behind Most Mass Shootings

An Arizona congressional candidate apologized for saying that Democrats are behind most of the mass shootings in the country.

Gary Kiehne, a businessman, is running against state Reps. Adam Kwasman and Andy Tobin for the nomination to face incumbent Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.). Kirkpatrick is deemed a vulnerable Dem by both parties’ congressional committees, and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has fundraised for Tobin.

At a primary debate Saturday, Kiehne stressed that he owned more guns than the other candidates vying for the GOP nomination.

“If you look at all the fiascos that have occurred, 99 percent of them have been by Democrats pulling their guns out and shooting people,” Kiehne said in reference to mass shootings. “So I don’t think you have a problem with the Republicans.”

“This past weekend, I made a comment about the political affiliation of perpetrators of gun violence in the heat of a debate. I’ve since learned that the information that I based the comment off of was inaccurate and incorrect,” Kiehne said in a statement issued by his campaign this morning.

“I’ve always believed that when you make a mistake, you should own up to it. Too many politicians today offer nothing but spin and excuses when they say something they shouldn’t have,” he continued. “I’m not going to do that. Simply put, I shouldn’t have made the comment, and  I want to offer my apology for making it without any reservations.”