Meghan McCain Plunges ‘The View’ Season Premiere Into Chaos by Yelling About Guns

The View is back, baby. This morning, the ABC daytime show returned for its Season 23 premiere, and it only took about 20 minutes for things to devolve into chaos. During a discussion about the recent shootings in Texas, Meghan McCain ignited a screaming match when she insisted that “gun-grabber” candidates will never get her vote. McCain went on to say that the “AR-15 is by far the most popular gun in America,” and if candidates continue talking about “taking people’s guns from them, there’s going to be a lot of violence.” Said the conservative co-host, “I’m not living without guns.”

After a four-week hiatus, The View had plenty to discuss on Tuesday morning, and they began with the shootings in Odessa and Midland, Texas on Saturday, August 31. Moderator Whoopi Goldberg urged for gun safety “loopholes” to be closed — the shooter reportedly failed a background check, but could have purchased the firearm at a gun show or online, where background checks are not required — so that similar tragedies can be prevented. “If you don’t employ the laws we have, what good are they?” she asked. Joy Behar and Sunny Hostin then ripped the NRA for buying politicians. “Mitch McConnell will not do anything,” said Hostin. “He will not allow a vote on anything. He’s beholden to the NRA.”

Finally, it was McCain’s turn to speak. “As the chick on the panel that spent most of her break shooting, I look forward to talking about this,” she said, adding that media outlets should have “a gun beat,” and hire reporters who are educated about firearms. “People need to start getting really specific. Beto O’Rourke wants to have a complete and total — I call it ‘gun-grabbing’ — but he wants to have a mandatory gun buyback … It just doesn’t seem like that’s rational conversation.”

McCain went on to say that as a “life member” of the NRA, she has “a lot of problems with the way the money’s being allocated,” but she unequivocally supports their fight for “Second Amendment rights.” Explained McCain, “This is a ground-level issue for me. If you’re going to be a gun-grabber, you don’t get my vote.”

Behar attempted to push back, but McCain shut her down. “The AR-15 is by far the most popular gun in America,” said the conservative. “If you’re talking about going around and taking people’s guns from them, there’s going to be a lot of violence. I’m not living without guns. It’s just that simple.” Hostin also disagreed, asking, “What about living without the assault weapons that are killing our children?”

“Alright. I’m not being virtue-signaled at 20 minutes into the show back,” replied McCain with a huff. And with that, the co-hosts were off (even Abby Huntsman got in a word!). “I feel safe that I can protect myself,” said McCain, her voice rising above the rest. When an audience member groaned loudly, McCain turned in his direction. “Alright, welcome back,” she said, rolling her eyes. It’s going to be quite a season, folks.

Watch The View‘s first fight of the year in the clip above.

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