Republican Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake raised some eyebrows this week when she told her supporters to “maybe strap on a Glock” after saying the months leading up to the 2024 election are “going to be intense.”
Lake, an avid Trump supporter, made her comments while speaking to her supporters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Video of the speech was captured by NBC News.
“[Trump] 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 warned.
She then went on to suggest that her supporters stay armed.
“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.
“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.”
Lake went on to say that she and her supporters were “not going to be the victims of crime” or have their “Second Amendment taken away.”
“We’re certainly not going to have our First Amendment taken away by these tyrants,” Lake proclaimed.
In a clarifying statement made to The Hill, a spokesperson for Lake said she was “clearly talking about Arizonans’ right to defend themselves. Especially given all the crime across the country. She will always support Arizonans’ constitutional rights.”
The Senate hopeful is running against Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) for outgoing Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-AZ) seat.