Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush got a lot of attention for tweeting a picture of a gun engraved with his name, but it was likely not the kind of attention he wanted.
The former Florida governor tweeted a picture of a semi-automatic pistol Tuesday, captioned “America.”
America. pic.twitter.com/TeduJkwQF3
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 16, 2016
The instant response on social media ranged from outrage to mockery.
Early look at tomorrow%27s front pageDOLT .45Jeb Bush tweets gun pic, captions it %27America%27 https://t.co/S5FGYmcsVM pic.twitter.com/90lHW6H457
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 17, 2016
@JebBush what is wrong with you
— drew olanoff (@drew) February 16, 2016
80 sets of parents lost a child to gun violence today. That%27s America, @JebBush. Do something about it. https://t.co/oJQnLAbF24
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 16, 2016
America. pic.twitter.com/TeduJkwQF3
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 16, 2016
America. pic.twitter.com/X92lI21LzT
— Conz Preti (@conz) February 16, 2016
Gun made by a Belgian company. https://t.co/RP3W1Gw89u
— Blake Hounshell (@blakehounshell) February 16, 2016
People outside the U.S. posted pictures of things their countries are known for.
. @JebBushBritain. pic.twitter.com/vy8fclc17c
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) February 17, 2016
.@JebBush Germany pic.twitter.com/rYdYp80GYI
— Wolfgang Blau (@wblau) February 16, 2016
Bush has yet to explain exactly why he posted the picture, although in his campaign appearances he has frequently stressed his strong support for the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The amendment guarantees Americans' right to own firearms, and it figures in the political debate over whether laws regulating gun ownership should be changed.
“The Second Amendment is under attack by Washington liberals like President [Barack] Obama and [former Secretary of State Hillary] Clinton,” Bush's "jeb2016" website declared. “The current administration seems only to care about restricting the rights of law-abiding Americans.”