What's Pointing Right Between Ted Cruz's Eyes in AP Photo Has More Than a Few Folks Just a Bit Upset

UPDATE, June 22, 9:32 a.m. ET: The Associated Press addressed the photographs, saying they were not meant to show Cruz in a "negative light."

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An Associated Press photograph depicting Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas with a handgun pointed right between his eyes became a hot topic on social media Sunday night.

Twitter lights up over photo of Ted Cruz as target https://t.co/VJM8QrcOKi via @HCTrudo | AP Photo pic.twitter.com/sC683lyJ9j

— POLITICO (@politico) June 22, 2015

The image was taken Saturday in Iowa by the AP’s Charlie Neibergall, Politico reported, and the firearm is on a poster in the background at a “Celebrate the 2nd Amendment Event” at the CrossRoads Shooting Sports in Johnston.

Cruz, a strident proponent of gun rights, encouraged residents to adopt a Texan approach to guns by simply “hitting what you aim at,” Politico reported.

Some weren't amused at the AP for making the photo available, noting that the news cycle would head into hyperdrive if the outlet provided such a photo with a Democrat depicted.

Twitter user @lifebythecreek pointed out that “as photographer, that is not a normal angle from which to take a picture UNLESS you’re trying to do this.”

Here's what others had to say:

#Shameful #AP Photo Points Gun at #TedCruz Brain https://t.co/BZ21BfHG7H - #KurtSchemers

— Kurt Schemers (@KurtSchemers)

June 22, 2015

AP Photo Points Gun at Ted Cruz's Brain https://t.co/UGSB8tBUaV via @BreitbartNews Why is this acceptable? Apologize, @AP

— Army Vet Chic (@habitual_grump) June 22, 2015

Sending A Message To One Of Your Liberal Nut Job Readers? @AP Photo Lines Up Gun With @TedCruz Head https://t.co/oALQX2qDjR #RedNationRising

— RedNationRising (@RedNationRising) June 22, 2015

Some AP photo editor thought it clever to publish a photo of Ted Cruz with a gun pointing at his head: https://t.co/RDVjKHxPVj @powerlineus

— John Hinderaker (@jhinderaker) June 22, 2015

TRIGGER: AP Promotes Assassination Of Ted Cruz, Lines Up Gun With His Head In Photo https://t.co/6tibsVyRMZ https://t.co/ErgOD5IOt1

— Patrick Dollard (@PatDollard) June 22, 2015

.@AP Photo Points Gun at @tedcruz Head https://t.co/5imlkRxXU1 @BreitbartNews Imagine @TheDemocrats venomous rage if this was @GabbyGiffords

— Jay Medina (@JayMedina) June 21, 2015

AP Image’s website has other images from the event with and without the pistol in the background, Politico added.

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