Brady Campaign: Byron Williams credits Beck with “conspiracy theory that led him to his violent actions”

Beck part of connection between “extreme right-wing rhetoric and gun violence”

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has released a statement noting that “Byron Williams gives much of the credit to Fox's Glenn Beck for the conspiracy theory that led him to his violent actions,” adding, “Here at the Brady Campaign we have been sounding the alarm about the connection between terrorism and guns, and extreme right-wing rhetoric and gun violence.”

This week, Media Matters' reported on how Glenn Beck and the right-wing media drove Byron Williams to plot the assassination of the leaders of the ACLU and the Tides Foundation.

From the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence statement:

Byron Williams, an ex-felon, was on his way to shoot staff members of the Tides Foundation and the ACLU this summer. He was stopped by law enforcement for erratic driving and then opened fire.

Williams wounded two officers before being taken into custody. He later said his intention was to “start a revolution.” Williams gives much of the credit to Fox's Glenn Beck for the conspiracy theory that led him to his violent actions.

Williams said Beck would not advocate violence, “but he'll give you every ounce of evidence that you could possibly need.”

Too many people are turning to guns to remedy their grievances. And they are being fueled by rhetoric from leaders of the extreme gun rights movement.

Here at the Brady Campaign we have been sounding the alarm about the connection between terrorism and guns, and extreme right-wing rhetoric and gun violence.