Sen. Richard Burr has apologized for a joke he made at a private event over the weekend about gun enthusiasts putting a “bull’s-eye” on Hillary Clinton.
The North Carolina Republican made the comment to supporters Saturday at a campaign meeting in Mooresville. Mr. Burr had recalled how he walked into a gun shop in Oxford the day before and saw a copy of American Rifleman on the counter, CNN reported.
“It’s got a picture of Hillary Clinton on the front of it,” the Senate Intelligence Committee chairman said. “I was a little bit shocked at that — it didn’t have a bulls-eye on it.”
The crowd laughed, and the senator continued.
“But on the bottom right it had everybody for federal office in this particular state that they should vote for,” he said. “So let me assure you, there’s an army of support out there right now for our candidates.”
After facing calls to resign over the comment, Mr. Burr apologized Monday in a statement to CNN.
“The comment I made was inappropriate, and I apologize for it,” he said.
Mr. Burr is locked in a tight race for reelection against Democrat Deborah Ross, a former state representative.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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