"When Mr. Trump speaks, it's not as artful as a lot of people might think," Trump national co-chair and policy adviser Sam Clovis told CNN's "New Day."

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"I thought he was talking about the 100 million gun owners in America that own 300 million guns. I count myself among them," Clovis said.

"It's a lot of votes, and that's what's at stake," he added, naming several constitutional amendments.

Trump's apparent joke Tuesday about gun owners possibly taking action against Clinton prompted immediate backlash from Democrats.

“This is simple — what Trump is saying is dangerous. A person seeking to be President of the United States should not suggest violence in any way,” Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said in a statement.

The Secret Service said on Twitter that it was "aware" of the comments from Trump made earlier in the afternoon.