Simi Valley, Calif. - Ahead of the second GOP primary debate Wednesday night at the Reagan Library, Senator Rand Paul hit the gun range to shoot the 80,000 page long IRS tax code with an AR-15 (a modified model to meet strict California firearms law), a 1911 9mm pistol and a semi-automatic shotgun.

"We don't have like a grenade launcher?" Paul said to reporters at the range, adding that shooting was a good way to relieve some stress before the debate. "I like getting out and shooting, as you can see I'm a novice but at least I hit the target."

"I've shot probably 10 times in my life. I try not to pretend I'm something that I'm not but I do like to go shooting when I'm out. I've shot skeet with friends and done target practice with folks before. We've done a couple of fundraisers at ranges before," Paul said.

Paul has been a longtime supporter of the Second Amendment and gun rights. Earlier this year, Paul rolled out his plan for a fairer, flatter tax system.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) released his tax plan to voters earlier this summer. Voters looked at this as another generic Republican tax plan that was used by many different candidates in the past.



But when you look more closely at Paul’s tax plan, there’s an argument that can be made that he has the boldest tax plan by any GOP presidential candidate in the past quarter century.



Senator Paul’s plan calls for a 14.5 percent flat rate on income. It will replace today’s corporate taxes with a new 14.5 percent value-added tax. It eliminates all estate and gift taxes, (most) tax credits, deductions, and loopholes that favor big business.



Americans who identify as poor or in the lower middle class will benefit greatly from this plan. A family of four under a President Paul tax plan would pay no income taxes on the first $50,000 in earned income.



Along with the first $50,000 in earned income being exempt under this tax plan, the payroll tax will also be eliminated. The payroll tax is the largest tax that most Americans pay.

The second GOP primary debate is Wednesday at the Reagan Library. The main event, which is hosted by CNN and Salem Communications, starts at 8 p.m. eastern time.