South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem triggered a conniption among leftists this Friday when she revealed that even her 1-year-old granddaughter already has a shotgun and rifle.

Noem was speaking at the National Rifle Association’s Leadership Forum in Indianapolis when she decided to open up about her family.

“Can you believe I’m a grandma? Not just once either, but twice. For those of you with grandchildren, you know, they are why we get up each day and continue to fight for our values,” she said.

“Little Miss Addie and Branch have brought us so much joy. And Miss Addie, who is almost 2 years old, already has both a shotgun and a rifle! Welcome to South Dakota,” she added.

Listen:

Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD), addressing the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum, says her nearly 2-year-old granddaughter “already has a shotgun, and she already has a rifle.” pic.twitter.com/d7V4Kslmo3

— The Recount (@therecount) April 14, 2023

Cue massive, unhinged reactions from the left. Indeed, to hear them tell it, the fact that Noem’s granddaughter was gifted a rifle proves the governor is the “real” groomer.

Look:

The real groomers.

— Do Droids Dream of Electric Bantha? (@iameldiablito) April 14, 2023

This is what grooming looks like. Another little Palin klan in the making. Granny Kristi is starting to look like a puffer fish. Really, lay off the fillers and filters, it’s not a good look.

— Lin Hodkinson (@piptiegirl) April 15, 2023

I got lots of guns. They were all preceded by gun safety training. This attitude is tied to the current problem. Guns are not toys. Not for children. Not intended to be treated as such.

— Lawyer by Trade (@LawyerByTrade) April 16, 2023

When the @GOP goes to the NRA convention and brags their 2 yr old granddaughter has 2 guns, @govkristinoem you are just a cultist weaponizing people. That is NOT normal. We are a gun fam and we think this moronic crap is extreme.

— realdeal (@realdea49536231) April 15, 2023

These gun fetishizers are out of their minds.
They act like guns aren’t even dangerous to just give a 2 year old yet they need an AK-47 to go to the drug store.
No 2 year old needs or should have a rifle.

— Lnonblonde (@Lnonblonde) April 14, 2023

America must have a lot of gun fans, however, because these criticisms were matched by a flood of supportive posts defending Noem.

“In the rural county north of me where I’ve gone to provide therapy in the past, most kids have their own shotguns by the time they’re 3. So small, they ride sheep in the rodeos. I felt safer there than any other location where I traveled—they grew up well-trained & responsible,” one supporter wrote.

See more supportive tweets below:

Parents have passed family firearms down to children since our country was created.

— Sam Dawson (@SamsGarageSale) April 16, 2023

I didn’t know the Constitution had an age limit.

If you hate the constitution, they have openings in China.

— Karnala (@Karnala110) April 15, 2023

My daughter started shooting at 3. She couldn’t actually hold the rifle, so an adult set it up & aimed, she just pulled the trigger after reciting safety rules. She’s 15 now, straight A student & a pretty good shot! Still uses the same .22, but doesn’t need as much help anymore!

— Nervous Squirrel (@Ratat0sk) April 15, 2023

I learned gun safety from the NRA a child and it was some of the most information I have learned.

The vast majority of US murders are in committed in areas which vote 90% Democrat, but Democrats only care when the victims have light colored skin and Dems think they can use it… pic.twitter.com/G8K21dH396

— Tony Heller (@TonyClimate) April 15, 2023

I know this makes you cry and get your panties all in a wad, but this used to be the norm. When I was growing up, almost everyone in the neighborhood had a gun.

And no one was getting shot.

So, WTF is the problem now?

— Rowdy Republican (@RowdyRepublica1) April 15, 2023

Noem is no stranger to gun-related controversies. She unintentionally sparked controversy last year after her staff gifted her a flame thrower for Christmas.

“Scoop: Gov. @KristiNoem now owns her own flamethrower, a Christmas gift from her staff,” RealClearNews’ Philip Melanchthon Wegmann reported at the time.

“Two years ago, @KristiNoem fired off a flamethrower, joking is it ‘too late to add something to my Christmas list?’ Her staff pulled together and bought her one this year,” he added.

She’s on fire! Noem gets flamethrower for Christmashttps://t.co/CWzLhsWYaP

— American Wire News (@americanwire_) December 27, 2022

Not surprisingly, this too prompted backlash.

Look:

She’s a joke

— Kathy Shimonowitz (@KShimonowitz) December 27, 2022

What an embarrassment this Governor is.

— Politics Does Not Belong in Medicine ☮️ (@Kathlee83365634) December 26, 2022

Lord, am I bad if I hope it goes off accidentally in her house?

— Adam Carpenter Welles ️‍ (@AdamWelles) December 26, 2022

Because nothing says pro-life as much as celebrating the ability to kill with a flamethrower.

— Shawn Steadham (@bichonsandabc) December 26, 2022

When this is something that, as governor, you think to do on Christmas, something has gone wrong, terribly wrong.

— John Hays (@johnjhii) December 26, 2022

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Vivek Saxena

Senior Staff Writer
Vivek@bizpacreview.com

V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

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