Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump accused the media of distorting a comment he made Tuesday about gun rights that many took to mean he was suggesting violence against his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.

With a vacancy on the nation’s Supreme Court and the potential for the next president to name several new justices, Trump said Clinton would “decimate the Second Amendment,” which guarantees Americans the right to bear arms.

“By the way, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people — maybe there is, I don’t know.”

Hours later, Trump told Fox News he was referring to a “political movement” and that there could be “no other interpretation” of his comment.

But the Clinton campaign considered Trump’s comment more ominous.

“What Trump is saying is dangerous,” campaign manager Robby Mook said in a statement.  “A person seeking to be the president of the United States should not suggest violence in any way.”

The National Rifle Association, which endorses Trump, defended him on Twitter and cast the election as a decision about the Second Amendment.

Clinton said during her speech at the Democratic National Convention last month that she does not want to repeal the amendment or take away people’s guns, but advocated “common-sense reforms.”

“I just don’t want you to be shot by someone who shouldn’t have a gun in the first place,” she said.

Republican House Leader Paul Ryan told reporters Tuesday he had heard about Trump’s comment and that it sounded like a “joke gone bad.”

“You should never joke about something like that,” he said.

The Secret Service, which protects presidential candidates, said on Twitter it was “aware of the comments made earlier this afternoon,” without specifically naming Trump.

On policy issues, Trump Tuesday continued focusing on the economy, saying he would charge American companies that move operations overseas a 35 percent tariff on their goods.  He also pledge to cut regulations for people who want to start a new business.

Clinton held a campaign event in Miami, Florida, where four cases of the Zika virus have been reported.

She called on Republican leaders to call a special House of Representatives session and pass a bill funding efforts to fight Zika, saying the it is an epidemic that will only get worse.

The Senate has passed a Zika funding measure, but the House went into recess last month before it could pass one.
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