Heckuva Gaffe': Clinton References Constitution While Talking Gun Control, Then Makes Obvious Error

Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton confused the U.S. Constitution with the Declaration of Independence while making an argument for gun control Wednesday.

"92 percent of the American people agree with what I have said and what you have talked about," Clinton told host Steve Harvey. "And 85 percent of gun owners agree with that."

"So we have to say to the gun lobby, 'You know what, there is a Constitutional right for people to own guns, but there is also a Constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that enables us to have a safe country to protect our children from their senseless gun violence,'" she added.

The problem? "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" is not a Constitutional right. In fact, that phrase can't be found in the Constitution, but instead appears in the Declaration of Independence.

The Republican National Committee immediately jumped on Clinton's error.

"Heckuva gaffe to have in the middle of an intensifying debate over the Supreme Court," spokesman James Hewitt said in a statement emailed to reporters. "Yale Law School graduate Hillary Clinton who supports a judicial litmus test on abortion, just misquoted the constitution and in doing so, backed 'a constitutional right to life.' Nice job Hillary!"

—

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @oliverdarcy