GOP Rep. Gets in Heated Exchange With MSNBC’s Ari Melber on Gun Control: ‘I’m Speaking English’

MSNBC’s Ari Melber just got in a heated gun control discussion with Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX.)

Things were testy from the outset, with the host asking why it was so important for Burgess to “make sure” people can get their hands on assault rifles, such as the AR-15.

“There is a Second Amendment,” the representative began, only to be interrupted by Melber, who said “this is not about the Second Amendment.”

Burgess countered by saying, “You would be distressed if we were talking about the First Amendment.”

Melber was not satisfied, accusing Burgess of not offering up a real response to his question.

“I want to have a real debate with you, but I want to have a real dialogue with you,” he said, referencing 2008’s Heller decision. “There is no Second Amendment protection for weapons of war.”

The host then accused the congressman of making it easier for people to get AR-15s, which Burgess responded by stating “that is not the debate at all.”

“There are certain rights that are guaranteed in the Constitution,” the lawmaker continued. “It may be a discussion that part of those rights are going to be changed. If that’s so, that needs to be a national conversation.”

Melber did not give up on getting his initial query on assault rifles answered, asking: “You’re not going to answer the question at all, I take it?”

Burgess, frustrated at this point, said: “I’m speaking English, which is the language that we both speak.”

[image via screenshot]

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