A Republican House candidate in Florida is seemingly not opposed to using tear gas on the media.
Cory Mills, who is running in the state’s 7th Congressional District, released a campaign video ad on Thursday during which he suggested he can help the media “shed some real tears.”
Mills, a military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, explained he came home “and started a company making riot control munitions for law enforcement.”
He added, “You may know some of our work.”
The video shows footage of law enforcement using tear gas at protests.
“And now the liberal media’s crying about it,” Mills said.
A headline from Politico is displayed, saying he “sold tear gas used on Black Lives Matter protesters.”
Toward the end of the video, Mills is seen shooting tear gas.
Concluding the message, Mills said, “I’m Cory Mills and I approve this message because if the media wants to shed some real tears, I can help them out with that.”
Watch the video below:
The Politico article noted there are no issues with Mills’ firm’s activities legally.
Still, the outlet explained, “Politically, though, its sales of tear gas and rubber bullets could put Mills — a military combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient who launched PACEM Solutions in 2014 after many years spent in combat zones as a contractor — in a dicey position.”
Mills issued a written response to Politico, saying the firm was “proud” to sell tear gas to law enforcement in 2020.
“Products like tear gas are sanctioned and utilized by the Department of Defense and state and federal health department,” Mills said.
He added, “They are used on a daily basis to train our military personnel and [law enforcement officers]. Each officer or military member, who utilizes these irritants, must experience these irritants prior to certification. I for one, am thankful that our officers have less lethal options available to ensure order and preserve lives.”
