A Kentucky lawmaker has deleted a Thanksgiving Tweet over concerns it may be misinterpreted as a joke about Native American genocide.
In response to comments on gun control made by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Kentucky Rep. Brian Linder, a Republican from Dry Ridge, tweeted Friday that “If the Pilgrims had gun control, we wouldn’t have Thanksgiving.”
Linder explained to Kentucky Public Radio that the joke was about gun control preventing pilgrims from hunting turkeys.
“Thanksgiving is, you know, traditionally you have turkey, and so what I meant was you wouldn’t be able to have turkey. I know see that it, I could see where people have misunderstood what I meant.”
Louisville Rep. Reginald Meeks, who is part Cherokee, doesn't believe it. He called Linder’s comments” beyond offensive” and said they represent an ignorance of American history.