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.