McConnell Brandishes Rifle at CPAC in Tribute to Retiring Sen. Coburn

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell came armed with some real firepower to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

The Kentucky Republican was carrying an antique rifle over his head as he walked on stage to the sounds of Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi at the CPAC convention in National Harbor in suburban Washington.

He presented the weapon to Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, thanking him for his “wonderful service” and saying, “This is for you,” according to The Blaze.

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Coburn, 66, has revealed that he has cancer and is stepping down in November two years before he completes his second term.

McConnell has been an outspoken supporter of Second Amendment rights, and last year helped to defeat a bill in the Senate sponsored by Democrats calling for expanding background checks on the sale of firearms.

In his speech to the CPAC meeting, McConnell suggested that Republicans are likely to regain control of the Senate after the midterms, and that he was prepared to take over the role as majority leader.

“If I am given the opportunity to lead the U.S. Senate next year, I won’t let you down,” he said, according to NBC News.

But the senator is facing a tough GOP primary challenge from tea party activist Matt Bevin. And if he wins, he will be engaged in a close race against Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, who recently had former President Bill Clinton come to Kentucky and campaign on her behalf.

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