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Did Mandela Barnes say he 'could not care less' about a Second Amendment right?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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YES

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, the Democratic candidate for U.S. senator, tweeted in July 2013 that he "could not care less about a 2nd Amendment 'right.' Bear arms all you wish, but you should pay for your mishandling." Other tweets written minutes later reveal that he was reacting to the acquittal that day of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. "Our own individual liberties should never be able to trump another's life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness," Barnes wrote.

Barnes said in a May 2022 interview that he believed that "we can respect the Second Amendment" while increasing "common-sense" gun control measures including universal background checks. 

As a state representative, Barnes advocated for gun control measures, including waiting periods and strengthened background checks and has continued to do so as lieutenant governor.  

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Mandela Barnes Tweet from July 14, 2013. 9:17 p.m. CDT.
Mandela Barnes Tweet from July 14, 2013. 9:22 p.m. CDT.
Mandela Barnes Tweet from July 14, 2013. 9:22 p.m. CDT.
Channel 3000 For the Record: Interview with Mandela Barnes on gun control
Giffords Mandela Barnes
Wisconsin State Legislature Mandela Barnes legislative record
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.