BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Central Florida representative known for incendiary tweets issued one that Democrats have denounced and Republicans have said went too far, calling it a threat against President Joe Biden.
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Brevard County Rep. Randy Fine wrote on Twitter Wednesday morning, “Try to take our guns and you’ll learn why the second amendment was written in the first place.”
I have news for the embarrassment that claims to be our President — try to take our guns and you’ll learn why the Second Amendment was written in the first place.
— Rep. Randy Fine (@VoteRandyFine) May 25, 2022
Fine said he’s not threatening the president and defended the tweet, saying it is nothing more than a historical lesson.
“My comments were about Joe Biden going on national TV and within 60 seconds politicizing it, (making) it about gun control,” Fine told Channel 9 political reporter Christopher Heath.
Orlando Democratic Representative Anna Eskamani along with other House Democrats have condemned Fine’s comments.
“The tweet posted by Representative Randy Fine is dangerous,” she said. “It is adding to the violent rhetoric.”
Just another day in Florida with Randy Fine threatening the President of the United States after children and adults were shot & murdered at a school in Texas. pic.twitter.com/tsahGJYuEd
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) May 25, 2022
READ: Texas elementary school shooting: A timeline of events in the mass shooting
Some Republicans have also said Fine went too far.
Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, who was the mayor of Parkland when the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting happened, said the focus should not be on the incendiary tweets but rather what Florida can do now to ensure the state doesn’t suffer another school shooting.
“I think it’s important that we think about the families who lost loved ones,” she said. “They are going through a lot right now.”
READ: Texas elementary school shooting: What we know about the victims
As to what can be done to protect students, Fine pointed to Florida’s Guardian Program. However, the program was modeled after Texas’ blueprint. Fine admitted he’s not sure what else could be done.
Fine said he would support constitutional carry if it is brought up in the next regular session, which is scheduled to take place in spring 2023.
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