Newsweek Writer: GOP Is Fighting To Ensure 'People Like' Osama Bin Laden Can Buy Guns Easily

Senior Newsweek writer Kurt Eichenwald became the subject of some criticism Thursday afternoon after taking to Twitter to say Republicans are working to ensure "people like" Osama bin Laden can purchase firearms easily.

"Osama bin Laden was on the terrorist watch list," the contributing editor tweeted. "GOP is fighting to make sure that people like him can buy guns without any inconvenience."

Osama bin Laden was on the terrorist watch list. GOP is fighting to make sure that people like him can buy guns without any inconvenience.

— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) June 23, 2016

Eichenwald's post comes after a 25-hour sit-in by Democrats who were pushing for a vote on gun control measures ended. The House Democrats were seeking to force House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to hold a vote on a bipartisan amendment, proposed by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and backed by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), that would have barred anyone on the "no fly" or "selectee" lists from buying guns.

It took only minutes for one Twitter user, identified as "Smittie," to point out that bin Laden was not a citizen and, therefore, "couldn't buy [a gun] anyways."

"Please tell me you're not Ivy League educated," he added.

At that, many more social media observers piled on Eichenwald for his comment.

.@kurteichenwald Journalists have been placed on the watch list for writing things the administration didn't like. You want that?

— Bob Owens (@bob_owens) June 23, 2016

@kurteichenwald please don't tweet anymore

— Stocks (@Bmac0507) June 23, 2016

@kurteichenwald There is so much stupid here, I don't even know where to begin.

— ((((Mysterion)))) (@PornPops69) June 23, 2016

@kurteichenwald Osama Bin Laden was an American citizen with 5th amendment protected right of due process? I didnt know that. Wow @McRibz

— Keith Larson (@KPL2383) June 23, 2016

@kurteichenwald 3) He trained his guys to use box cutters & planes. This list is meaningless. Much like your tweet.

— (((Renegade Bagel))) (@TheBagel16) June 23, 2016

@kurteichenwald Oh the stupid hurts.

— David (@AngryDingo) June 23, 2016

@kurteichenwald Oh Kurt. He wasn't a citizen , not entitled to Due Process rights like this one. This is beneath you.

— spongeworthy (@spongeworthy2) June 23, 2016

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