Huckabee jokes of gun aimed at Obama

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Republican Mike Huckabee responded to an offstage noise during his speech Friday to the National Rifle Association by suggesting it was Barack Obama diving to the floor because someone had aimed a gun at him.

Hearing a loud noise and interrupting his speech, Huckabee said: “That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He’s getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he – he dove for the floor.”

There were only a few murmurs in the crowd after the remark.

The Obama campaign had no comment.

Later Friday, Huckabee issued a statement saying: “During my speech at the NRA a loud noise backstage, that sounded like a chair falling, distracted the crowd and interrupted my speech. I made an offhand remark that was in no way intended to offend or disparage Sen. Obama. I apologize that my comments were offensive; that was never my intention.”

Huckabee’s comments came during a nearly 20-minute speech in which he suggested that gun education should start early. He also criticized the Democratic presidential candidates, saying neither Obama nor Hillary Rodham Clinton would fight to defend an individual’s right to own a gun.

“I’m not sure Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton really get it,” Huckabee said.