May 18, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A congressional candidate insists he wasn't threatening Democratic President Barack Obama in a Facebook post that showed a photo of his handgun.
The Tennessean reports that Republican Brad Staats, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper in the 5th Congressional District, wrote that the pictured Colt pistol was something he usually had with him. The candidate went on to write: "Welcome to Tennessee Mr. Obama."
Staats said that the post was meant to contrast his support for the Second Amendment with the president's position on guns. He told the paper he would never threaten the president.
A Secret Service spokesman said the agency was aware of the Facebook post, and would follow up if necessary.
