The gun-loving politician and a very American Christmas card
IT’S a Christmas scene with a disarming difference.
Gathered in front of their tree for a festive greeting card, the Fiore family pose in matching tops – and with an arsenal of guns.
Four generations of the family, including a young child, are clutching high-powered firearms.
The image was posted online by Las Vegas politician Michele Fiore, a vociferous supporter of the right to bear arms.
In the wake of America’s worst domestic terror attack since 9/11, when a jihadi couple massacred 14 people in California, the image could not have appeared at a more sensitive time.
Many gun-owning Americans believe the solution to homegrown terror threats is for more ordinary citizens to be armed.
Mrs Fiore, a Nevada Republican, certainly thinks so. She captioned the photo, which she posted on Facebook: ‘It’s up to Americans to protect America. We’re just your ordinary American family.’
She also catalogued the weapons they are holding.
But many have accused Miss Fiore – the blonde woman clutch- ing a shortened 12-bore shotgun – of breathtaking irresponsibility and bad taste.
She says she posted the card online before last week’s terror attack at a community centre in San Bernardino.
Barack Obama has since called for new gun control measures after it emerged the pair legally acquired two assault rifles, two handguns and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Mrs Fiore, who poses with a gun whenever possible, insisted her Christmas message remained just as relevant in the light of the massacre.
‘What’s regrettable is governing and forcing innocent people to be defenceless while allowing and inviting terrorists into our country knowing the murderous outcome,’ she said. ‘My strong message to you is it’s time Americans begin protecting America. Get armed, get trained, get your head out of the sand and be prepared.’
Mrs Fiore has sponsored various gun laws in Nevade, including a bill to allow people to carry concealed weapons in nonsecure areas of airports, college campuses and schools. The bill was rejected.
‘Get your head out of the sand’