As hundreds of pro-choice protesters swarmed to the Texas capitol on Sunday, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R) quipped on Twitter that he’s “extra thankful” for the Second Amendment because “today is 1 of those days.” Attempting to explain that comment hours later, he insisted it was actually, somehow, a reference to unarmed fetuses.

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Demonstrators have packed the Texas legislature for consistently since Thursday, when over 700 pro-choice protesters staged a “people’s filibuster” of legislation that will close nearly every abortion clinic in the state. The bill is in its final stage of debate after receiving the approval of 20 Texas Senators last Tuesday.

Amid desperate protests against the legislation, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R) — who brings his gun to work every day, according to The New York Times — thought it was appropriate to assure fellow Republicans he wasn’t taking any chances with all these liberals running around. “Some days u r extra thankful we still have the right 2 protect ourselves & the 2nd amendment,” he wrote. “Today is 1 of those days”.

Hours later, an essay went up on Stickland’s website insisting that anyone who makes the connection between relying upon the Second Amendment and actually shooting someone is merely engaging in “Illogical Liberal Attacks.”

Saying the replies he got on Twitter “at least warrants a response,” Stickland began by making it perfectly clear that when he was talking about potentially opening fire on demonstrators in self defense, he really meant that he’s sad fetuses aren’t armed themselves.

“My reference this morning to being grateful for the ability to defend myself is coupled with the knowledge that there are those among us who cannot defend themselves,” Stickland wrote. “Through my vote today I will be defending the rights of those who cannot speak for their own rights.”

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He went on to claim that by making it nearly impossible to obtain an abortion in Texas, Republicans are somehow increasing the “standard of care” for women — and certainly not waging a war against rights affirmed by the Constitution and the Supreme Court.

“Only liberals would take a mention of the 2nd amendment and my gratefulness for my ability to protect myself from threats and twist it into absurd accusations that I am going to attack people today at the Capitol,” Stickland concluded.

Debate on the anti-abortion measure is set to continue Sunday night starting at 7:20 p.m. EST. Watch a live stream here courtesy of The Texas Tribune.