'Plumber' spouts on Calif. shooting

Samuel 'Joe the Plumber' Wurzelbacher: ‘Your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights'

Samuel 'Joe the Plumber' Wurzelbacher.

WASHINGTON -- The weekend mass shooting in California prompted former local congressional candidate Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher to pop off on his Web site with an open letter to the parents of the murder victims that expresses his sympathy, but also declares: "Your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights."

RELATED CONTENT: Download PDF of the original letter

Miffed that the father of victim Christopher Martinez blamed irresponsible politicians and the National Rifle Association for policies that allowed disturbed individuals like shooter Elliot Rodger to acquire guns, the Springfield Township GOP activist shot back:

"I'm sorry you lost your child. I myself have a son and daughter and the one thing I never want to go through is what you're going through now. But as harsh as this sounds -- your dead kids don't trump my Constitutional rights."

Mr. Wurzelbacher said in his posting Monday that Mr. Martinez' statements will be exploited "by gun-grab extremists as are all tragedies involving gun violence and the mentally ill by the anti-Second Amendment Left."

Mr. Wurzelbacher then went onto speculate that Rodger voted for President Obama in the last presidential election.

"We still have the right to bear arms and I intend to continue to speak out for that right, and against those who would restrict it -- even in the face of this horrible incident by this sad and insane individual. I almost said 'Obama Voter' but I'm waitin for it to be official.

"I noticed the mainstream media have stopped the practice of immediately reporting the psycho maniac is a conservative Tea Party Republican Christian. Guess they're sick of having to hide being wrong every time when it comes out the whacko votes Democrat?

"Mr. Martinez and anyone calling for more restrictions on Americans' rights need to back off and stop playing into the hands of the folks who merely capitalize on these horrific events for their own political ends."

Mr. Wurzelbacher became well-known in 2008 when Mr. Obama stopped by his front yard on a campaign stop. They talked about taxes and the conversation was picked up in national debates.