Anoka, Minnesota (CNN) – Embracing her strong pro-gun stance, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann fired off a few rounds from an M4 carbine Thursday morning, according to employees of a local ammunition manufacturer in her district.
The pro-Second Amendment conservative and rising Tea Party movement icon made the final public campaign stop of her two-day bus tour at Federal Ammunition ATK in Anoka, Minnesota.
Photography and videotaping were not allowed. Employees of ATK who were in attendance told CNN about the visit before the campaign ushered them away saying details for the press would be provided by the campaign.
Two employees said Bachmann fired off several rounds on a semi-automatic (single shot per trigger pull) before switching over to an automatic (multi-shot per pull) for a few minutes. She was shooting at printed human profile targets that, according to the employees, she kept as a souvenir. The employees said they were a little too far away to see how good her aim was.
Initially, the campaign declined to discuss details of what occurred following the event except to say Bachmann "toured an ammunition factory." But after being pressed with details already provided by the ATK workers Bachmann spokesman Sergio Gor wrote in an email:
"Congresswoman Bachmann today toured Federal Ammunition ATK, and met with dozens of employees that have worked at the factory for many years. Federal Ammunition ATK is a significant employer in the district and Congresswoman Bachmann considers these jobs very important for the district. Congresswoman Bachmann is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and was able to fire several rounds of bullets produced in this factory. The Congresswoman has a great shot and did well!"
Federal Ammunition ATK has been around since 1922, and employs between 1200 and 1500 people, according to vice president Sharon Jones. (The numerical range is given due to competition purposes, she said.)
From CNN Politics
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Sarah Palin's Mama Grizzlies are fearless.
Kinda makes me think of President Saddam Hussien firing off guns before his constituents in Iraq...and he thought he was impressive...well...I'm NOT impressed!
Jobs saved at this ammunition manufacturing business but not by Bachmann, she just wants to shoot off at the mouth.
Gettin' ready for all the nutjobs that intend to use their 2nd amendment rights.
They try to intimidate, harrass, and cause people to be afraid.
I'd rather die than live with their type of paranoia.
Reminds me of the Rich Texan from "The Simpsons"
SHE is one of the wing-nutjobs !!
So you can only be 'pro-2nd Ammendment' if you take a few shots every now and then? It's that (another pathetic part of ) her message?
This woman is a nut case. Maybe even worse than Sarah Pathetic? Are these all the right wing repulsive republicans. Between, Ran Paul, Ben Quayle and these morons I wonder if any of the Party of No should stay in office?
I wish you can just take it slow firing your mouth before you engage your brains!!
Makes me want to go get a gun to protect myself from this crazy and her scary following.
i recall when sadaam h. did that, it was dumb then and it's even dummer that she's doing it.
you shock me how low you can go. What is it, greed, power or something else?
At least I agree with Rep. Bachmann about gun rights.
That's something.
Why did she ban photography and videotaping?
What is she afraid of?
Why bother covering up her full blown nuttiness?
This kind of thing gets the republican "base" more giddy and excited than a young inexperienced sailor on a weekend leave in Bangkok or the Philippines.
It's not an "Assault Rifle" you Liberal twit. It's a Service Grade Weapon. C'mon CNN. Get it right FOR ONCE. You're supposed to be Journalists. Call the item what it is, rather than the sensationalist claim that is wrong. Those of us who actually understand firearms are laughing at you.
Tough? I hope she can join the troops in Afganistan with her BIG MOUSE.
Was the barrel pointing in the right direction? Oh crap, she's still alive.
Dammit, that's what comes of not keeping automatic weapons out of the hands of the mentally unstable.
So Bachman believes we have the right to bear arms, protect ourselves and our families? doesnt she knw we need stricter gun laws! because criminals that use guns would not dare break those laws hahaha! btw, I hope we get to see Sarah kill somethng, prepare it, and eat it on her show. keep their heads reelin ladies, BOO YEA!
Maybe I have missed something but what has this woman done in Congress that has helped the American citizens. I see her on talk shows but there is no mention of any important legislation she has pushed. She is a carbon copy of both parties that keep says the other party is not accomplishing anything but yet offers no alternatives that make any sense. Cut them off from the media and they have nothing.
My, my, heh, heh, looks like the wicked witch of the west. What a joke she is. Bachmann, you belong on a bus tour. And that is where you will stay.
If only she was as popular as Sarah. What a great place Minnesota would be to live!
Oh yeah, like her! Alot!
Every day there are news articles in the papers about deaths from handguns... teens with handguns. It is past time to hold people like Bachmann responsible for all of these deaths. People should clip these news articles and send them to the NRA and Ms. Bachmann. Last week in San Francisco a german tourist visiting on her wedding anniversary was killed by a stray bullet... teens with handguns! This madness has got to stop. There is a HUGE difference between training young people to properly use hunting rifles and enabling the free flow of weapons in our country. We need tighter restrictions of gun shows or a ban altogether.
This woman is a disgrace to women everywhere. She has set women back a hundred years. Some one PLEASE shut her up. How about cramming Palin down her throat.
I guess she is making sure that the revolution that she wants the teabaggers to start have guns so she is checking them out.
Nothing says you are "a woman" than shooting a gun. That is if you are a hillbilly trash redneck.
She has a great show but just like her brain she can't hit a target if her life depended on it.
I thought the folks in MN were more sophisticated. My bad!
In to The Valley Of Death Rode The Six Hundred! Does this skank have a working brain cell?
Oops sorry, I meant she has a great shot . . . . . . .not show!
Wow, she is so macho.
Michelle is alright.
I'd be more impressed if she joined the military and fired an assault rifle in Afghanistan. Hypocrites.
'ushered away'... That's the kind of nutty right wing politicians we have now. They'll feed you the line, then do whatever they want, usually to the detriment of the country and a flip-flop from what they promised.
I don't understand WHY the RepubliCAN'Ts always make GUNS a part of their stump!!! They know DOGGONE well their little toys are not going to be taken from them because the 2nd Amendment is one of the amendments the RepubliCAN'Ts would NEVER touch!!!
Crosshairs – GUNS – reload – GUNS – retaking America – GUNS – Nazi fear-mongering – GUNS – radicalism – GUNS – Muslim Hating – GUNS – get it yet!!!
You don't have to SHOOT a GUN to prove your point!!!
This woman is a dangerous lunatic and does nothing but spread false stories, hate, and promote violence. She should never be allowed near public office again.
She has done NOTHING for the people of MN she represents. She betrayed them at every turn. She has spent more time trying to be Sarah Palin than doing her job.
Come on MN – DO NOT send this scary idiot back to Congress. She is a traitor to the people and a hate-mongering liar and racist. She needs some serious mental health counseling.
What...photography and video taping were not allow????? That is a change for Ms Bachmann.
Oh God ..she fired a weapon. The liberals are wetting their panties !
It's a good thing that Michele Bachmann did not go to a nuclear plant to show us her support of nuclear weapons. Holy cow! That could be a world disaster! Michele and Sarah Palin deserve each other.
Pam in Oregon
This woman is crazier than Palin! Hard to believe that Americans are dumb enough to vote for her. Of course, Hitler hoodwinked the Germans too!
anyone can shoot a gun. I certainly can. and I'm a democrat. so what's her point??
I thought crazy people were supposed to be kept from having guns.
You know, there is a pattern here: of right-wing-nut female female Republican candidates for Congress getting air time by firing their big, loud, guns. Everybody knows a big gun is a big ol' phallic symbol. Whassup? Do the Republican women have to prove they really are man enough to run for office?
Typical right wing nut, all about guns.
Another effing lunatic Republican that runs away from the media.
I pray Sarah "quittier" Palin wins the GOP presidential nomination because she will pick bonehead Bachmann for VP and Obama will win by a landslide.
What a nut another idiot with a gun. Gee Im so glad you are looking after our rights
Good Lord... The new American creed... "Jesus and Guns!"
it seems like palin these women can not talk to the press. Why is that what are they afraid of? Wing nuts all
The twinkle in her eye is the sun shining thru the back of her head. She is a Palin wannabe, which is several steps below pathetic.
Bachmann is a Palin wannabe that is so far out there she's in a hyperbolic orbit. But what the hell! Palin-Bachmann 2010!!
This woman is a full blown looney tune!! Are you guys turning up your saunas to high to even think of voting for this wacko?
I'm trying hard to refrain from where the barrel should have been pointed. This idiot is nothing but wind bag. I have friends in Minnesota who think she is a worthless, self-serving whiner. Hope they speak with their voting.
What you want to say about this crazy lady is "Are you kidding me, she's a congress-person"? Well she is and many in Minn. thinks very highly of her. I personally think she is an embarrassment to the office she holds, but I do not live in Minn.
I look forward to this coming November to see /read about her defeat, but with the weird things going on in American politics this year, I would not be surprised to see her elected again.
Ms.Bachmann, along with the likes of Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are right wing fanatics. This lady has said some despicable things and has lost all honor she should carry with the office she holds. Lets wait and see if the good people on Minnesota wants her around longer then she should be.
would love to see you replace Pelosi as Speaker.....the GOP should pick up about 80 seats in Nov......
Bachman = Moron from the Timothy McVeigh Party
These people are pushed by the media looking for stories.
The pundits get smiles on their faces, their eyes sparkle when they help support this horrible atmosphere of hate and dis content.
We all have freedom of speach,WHY USE THAT FREEDOM TO SPREAD HATE??
Soo many lives have been given to provide and protect this country!!!
one more grizzely omg.
If they did a background check on Bachmann, she'd be denied a firearm because she's obviously mentally ill ...
In this case I wish Michele had shot herself in the foot. She does it verbally but doesn't seem to even be aware of it. Maybe the foot would have been more noticeable. Of course with her foot always in her mouth anyway, I guess we really wouldn't want her to shoot herself in the foot after all. would we?Maybe she'll just go away.!
Ellie Mae Bachmann and Granny Sarah Grizzly loadin up their scatter guns to do some Second Amendment campaigning.
Thank you Tea Party- I LOVE your crazies-they will save the country from Republicans in the fall!
There is nothing the Democrats can do that will help them as much as your cast of lunatics.
LOVE HER !!!!!!! Bachmann / Palin 2012 !!!!! Move over Hillary – you got nothing on these two women!
OBAMA is not a President....Never will be....He's just a Rock Star.
Sickening.
Way to go Rep. Bachmann. I love a lady who knows how to use a gun.
I fired an assault rifle a few times, in the name of my Nation. Why did she do it? What's the big deal?
Federal ammunition is some of the best ammo made.
Michele Bachmann is an unAmerican corporate puppet and an opportunist. Plain and simple. Trying to spill Constitutional garbage on people when she and republicans do everything just the opposite against the Constitution.
Crazy Lady Bachmann is using the play book of Half Gov. Palin and the other crazy lady in Nevada, hold a ralley, or a press conference but then run away before answering any questions. That way you can tell any lie that you want and not be questioned about those nasty facts. Worse yet, the sheep who follow just believe anything these nut cases say. The GOP has turned into a sorry group of people and they will get exactly what they deserve, used.
Vote NO in NOvember to the party of NO.
What's the equivalent of sticking a sock in your shorts for a woman? Well, this woman (and I guess I use that term loosely, because I'm not sure she is actually mature enough to be called a woman) needs to go do it. She (and her twin Sarah Palin) are the exact portrait of what is wrong with American politics. Divide people by harping on what is wrong rather than providing workable solutions to make things better. They are tearing America apart and blaming it on the very people who are trying to hold the country together. Honestly, I'll say it. They make me a little embarrassed to be an American (and trust me, I love this country more than they do because I'm not the one trying to tear it apart).
Sounds like Palin. I will say one thing these Republican women that are coming to the front are tough. We have Pelosi who doesn't have the looks but can intimidate her party members to support whatever the bill may be. The Republicans are taking the Fox News approach going with the beauties. We don't have too many of those. We do have the National Organization of Women. Maybe quantity will make up for quality. No I don't think so. We need to hire their recruiter.
a crazy witch with a gun. what is the world coming to.one day she will be very sorry for all the crazy things that she doing. I can wait.