Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Beto Going All-In on Confiscation

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Beto Going All-In on Confiscation

Democrat Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke continues to struggle to gain any sort of traction for his campaign. With some polls putting him in 10th place, and his average sitting around 7th, some might say that it is desperation time for the candidate who was once a darling with the far left and the legacy media while he was running his losing campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Tex.).

recent tweet from O’Rourke is just one clue that the candidate is, indeed, becoming desperate.

The former U.S. Representative from Texas called on banks and credit card companies to help promote gun control by refusing to do business with companies that produce legal products, and refusing to process legal financial transactions.

As has often been the case with Beto’s campaign, he seems to try to be provocative by rehashing old ideas.

Some banking institutions, with the urging of anti-gun extremists, have already adjusted their practices to accommodate those, like O’Rourke, who stand opposed to the Second Amendment. While this subject has been part of the anti-gun crusade for some time, it has been met with strong opposition, and others have questioned how credit card companies could stop processing certain, specific transactions without actually ceasing doing any business with companies that allow the targeted transactions, as well as others not targeted.

Beto’s most puzzling demand is that banks and credit card companies “(s)top processing transactions for gun sales online & at gun shows without background checks.” As a presidential candidate, and former U.S. Representative, O’Rourke should be aware that ALL firearm transfers through licensed gun dealers—whether they be at a brick-and-mortar store, at a gun show, or over the Internet—are required, by law, to be run through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Of course, he knows this, but his tweet is intended to create confusion on the issue, as well as create the impression that he is proposing to address specific problems, even though they simply do not exist.

Rehashing an old anti-gun campaign isn’t his only sign of desperation, though.

On September 12, during the third debate of Democrat Presidential candidates, he tried to be even more provocative.

When asked if he supported confiscation of certain semi-automatic firearms, Beto stated, “Hell yes, we’re gonna take your AR-15, your AK47….”

And just to prove he was serious, his campaign started selling t-shirts.

Thankfully, he didn’t go so far as one former candidate who also proposed confiscation, but also made what many considered to be a rather ominous threat.

So far, Beto has tried being folksy, posting videos of him at the dentist, getting his hair cut, flipping burgers, and changing a tire. That hasn’t been successful in getting his polling numbers out of the low single digits.

Now he’s selling profanity and trying to prove he’s the most anti-gun candidate in the field in trying to lure support from Democrats in his Quixotic quest to be President. A far cry from when he faced only the Texas electorate, and assured lawful gun owners they could keep their firearms. If these tactics don’t work, which they likely won’t, can we expect O’Rourke to dive even deeper into the anti-gun end of the pool, and start promoting the repeal of the Second Amendment? As we often say, stay tuned!

TRENDING NOW
California: Senate Judiciary Hearing Bill to Use Gun Owners as Political Pawns

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

California: Senate Judiciary Hearing Bill to Use Gun Owners as Political Pawns

Today, at 1:30PM, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 1327. Introduced by Senator Robert Hertzberg (D-18), it creates a private right of action that allows individuals to file civil suits against anyone who manufactures, distributes, transports, ...

Virginia: Gun Bill Updates As Crossover Deadline Arrives

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Virginia: Gun Bill Updates As Crossover Deadline Arrives

Today, February 17th is the legislative crossover deadline in Virginia, and any bills that have not left their chamber of origin by the end of the day are considered dead for the session.

New Mexico: Sweeping Gun Control Bill to Be Heard Tomorrow!

Monday, February 16, 2026

New Mexico: Sweeping Gun Control Bill to Be Heard Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, the New Mexico House Judiciary Committee will hear the omnibus gun control package that would severely undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Mexicans and threaten the viability of local firearm retailers. With ...

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Bills Heard in Committee

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

New Mexico: Anti-Gun Bills Heard in Committee

Today, Senate Bill 17, the omnibus gun control bill, was heard in the House Judiciary Committee and Senate Bill 261, expanding gun free zones around ballot drop boxes and polling places, was heard in the House Government ...

VA Announces End To Policy that Strips the Second Amendment Rights of Veterans

News  

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

VA Announces End To Policy that Strips the Second Amendment Rights of Veterans

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the VA will no longer report veterans to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) solely because they have been assigned a fiduciary to assist them ...

“Violence Interrupters” Demonstrate Wishful Thinking is Not Crime Control

News  

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

“Violence Interrupters” Demonstrate Wishful Thinking is Not Crime Control

Not too long ago, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker dismissed President Donald Trump’s assessment of over-the-top violent crime in Chicago as being rooted in “lies,” saying that “civilian law enforcement is how you fight crime,” and “[w]e’ve got ...

Virginia Legislature Moves Semi-Auto and Magazine Ban as RAND Notes Lack of Evidence in Deterring Violent Crime

News  

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Virginia Legislature Moves Semi-Auto and Magazine Ban as RAND Notes Lack of Evidence in Deterring Violent Crime

The Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly continues to move forward with unconstitutional legislation banning commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms and standard capacity magazines. 

Virginia Gun Owners Face Magazine Confiscation!

Monday, February 2, 2026

Virginia Gun Owners Face Magazine Confiscation!

Astute Virginia gun owners anticipated terrible gun control legislation from the 2026 General Assembly. Still, some may be shocked to learn that anti-rights zealots in the Virginia Senate have advanced a bill to CONFISCATE standard capacity firearm ...

Virginia: Committee Hearing on Statewide Carry Ban This Friday

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Virginia: Committee Hearing on Statewide Carry Ban This Friday

On Friday, February 13th, the House Public Safety committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 1524, jeopardizing concealed and open carry.

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.