In a Twitter debate about the buy-back of assault weapons Friday, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., boasted about the U.S. government having nuclear weapons at its disposal if gun owners went to war against their own country.

It began when a Twitter user claimed Swalwell would spark a war by trying to force gun owners to get rid of assault weapons. Swalwell responded by noting that the government has nuclear weapons.

“So basically @RepSwalwell wants a war,” Joe Biggs tweeted in response to Swalwell proposing a ban on “military-style semiautomatic assault weapons” and forcing owners to sell their weapons or face prosecution.

“Because that’s what you would get,” he continued. “You’re outta your fucking mind if you think I’ll give up my rights and give the gov all the power.”

Swalwell responded: “And it would be a short war my friend. The government has nukes. Too many of them. But they’re legit. I’m sure if we talked we could find common ground to protect our families and communities.”

And it would be a short war my friend. The government has nukes. Too many of them. But they’re legit. I’m sure if we talked we could find common ground to protect our families and communities. — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018



The Democrat told Biggs not to “be so dramatic” when pressed on whether the U.S. government would actually use nuclear weapons on its own soil. “No one is nuking anyone or threatening that. I’m telling you this is not the 18th Century,” Swalwell said.



Don’t be so dramatic. No one is nuking anyone or threatening that. I’m telling you this is not the 18th Century. The argument that you would go to war with your government if an assault weapons ban was in place is ludicrous and inflames the gun debate. Which is what you want. https://t.co/oX0rY7Nbs1 — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 16, 2018



Swalwell is considered a possible contender against President Trump in 2020 and has made several visits to early primary voting states in the last year.