Republican posts ammunition photo in response to Floyd protests

State Rep. Gary Eisen (R-St. Clair Twp.) posted on Facebook this week that he may “load up a few more mags” in response to statewide protests over the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, a 45-year-old African American man from Minneapolis, was killed last week by a police officer who pinned a knee on Floyd’s neck. Since his death, protests have occurred in every state in the country and many more are planned. 

Many of the protests have remained largely peaceful, but local police have been garbed in riot gear, National Guard members have been deployed by governors and the president to break up protests and many large cities across the country have put curfews in place.

“I was at my shop this morning working, and an older guy came in. We started talking about the protesters and the riots… He said, ‘You know all those protesters are Liberals.’ I said, ‘how do you know that’ …. he said, ‘Liberals look for trouble and civil unrest and Conservatives PREPARE for it.’ hmm, so i thought maybe I will load up a few more mags….” Eisen posted on Facebook Saturday.

He included a photo of gun magazines, a switchblade and target ammunition. 

Eisen, who owns Michigan Personal Protection Training, has championed legislation that would designate some counties in Michigan as Second Amendment sanctuaries earlier this year. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3130435810351235&set=a.487939761267533&type=3&theater

“This is unacceptable. The Speaker needs to tell us what consequences Rep. Eisen will face for these comments. Full stop,” state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) tweeted in response to Eisen’s post.

A number of tweets and comments on his post also called for his resignation. 

Spokespeople for Eisen and House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) responded to a request to comment on whether or not Eisen will face consequences for the post or if he plans to resign.