Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg scoffed at rural Colorado’s reaction to gun control during an interview with Rolling Stone in this month’s magazine, suggesting that only the parts of the country without even the most basic components of civilization would be opposed to more gun control. 

Bloomberg was asked about the successful recall races of Democratic State Senators in response to the strict gun control legislation passed in the state.

The link to the story is now dead, as it appears that Rolling Stone has pulled the article. A cached version can be found here.

Bloomberg was referring to the successful recall elections pursued by grassroots activists to replace Senate President John Morse who represented eastern Colorado Springs and Sen. Angela Giron who represented Pueblo County.

State Sen. Evie Hudak resigned rather than face a recall election.

Bloomberg said in spite of the losses in Colorado, he was still pleased that the strict gun laws were passed.

Senate Candidate Rep. Corey Gardner, is using Bloomberg’s comments against incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Udall.

Senator Udall and his biggest supporters continue to show what they really think of Coloradans,” Cory Gardner said. “Does Senator Udall agree with Michael Bloomberg?”

Bloomberg has donated money to Sen. Udall’s campaign.

Bloomberg also denounced the National Rifle Association for supporting Second Amendment rights in Congress.

“What the NRA says is, ‘Babes, we don’t care. We’re going after you. We’re going after your spouse and your children and your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren. Long after you’re dead, we’ll still be going after you,'” he said, paraphrasing the NRA’s position. “It’s hard to think these guys aren’t cuckoo and wouldn’t probably do it, when they say that.”

Update: Rolling Stone editor Simon Vozick-Levinson explains why the link to the story is now dead: 

@charliespiering @Olivianuzzi Hi – the piece was briefly published a few days early by accident. It will go up on Monday as scheduled.

— SimonVozick-Levinson (@simonwilliam) July 10, 2014

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