Seeking to shore up his right-wing bona fides, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) issued a dire warning to supporters last weekend about President Barack Obama’s gun-control plan.

In what some called a “hysterical” email, McConnell told supporters that Obama and the “gun-grabbers” in Congress want to “launch an all-out-assault on the Second Amendment.”

“My friend, our freedom is under direct assault,” McConnell’s campaign manager wrote. “From those who want take your guns. From those who want to shred our Constitution, and as our good in friend Rand Paul from Kentucky says, from those who want to be King.”

“You and I are literally surrounded,” he added, claiming there are a multitude of “schemes” in the works by President Obama, including 23 executive orders (pdf). McConnell’s critics have noted that none of those orders advocate the confiscation of legally-owned weapons.

“This to me is pretty much as low as you can go in terms of being irresponsible as a public official,” remarked Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Kentucky). “He knows that’s not true, he’s making it up, and he’s using it for his own political benefit.”

Some observers said the email was intended to strengthen McConnell’s support among conservatives. The Senate minority leader faces reelection next year, and the McConnell camp may be worried about heading off a potential primary challenge.

McConnell was blasted by those on the right for helping resolve the fiscal cliff drama, with some calling the deal “the McConnell tax hike.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff, Danny Biederman

To Learn More:

Mitch McConnell Campaign: We’re ‘Surrounded’ by ‘Gun-Grabbers’ (by Zachary Roth, MSNBC)

Mitch McConnell’s Irresponsible Campaign Email: “Watch out, they’re coming for your guns” (Louisville Eccentric Observer)

Gun Industry Increases Profits by Spreading Fake Warnings of Obama Anti-Gun Conspiracy (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Americans’ Desire for Tougher Gun Laws Up 13% from a Year Ago (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)