Brandon Herrera, a Republican running for Congress in Texas, criticized Democratic Rep. Jake Auchincloss from Massachusetts for his apparent misunderstanding of federal gun laws early Saturday.
A group advocating for Second Amendment rights placed a referendum on the Massachusetts ballot aimed at gauging public support for a gun-control measure established in 2024 that targets “ghost guns” and “assault weapons.” On Friday morning, Auchincloss shared a video on X, expressing his support for the referendum “as a Marine and dad.”
In the video, Auchincloss claimed that parts for a “ghost gun” could be bought online. He demonstrated this by assembling an AR-15 from disassembled parts, attaching the upper receiver to the lower one, loading a magazine, and chambering a round.
Herrera responded sharply with a post of his own, stating, “Imagine paying a political consulting firm to record and produce an ad, but nobody bothers to fact check anything you say. What he’s demonstrating here is already a federal crime. What a joke.” (RELATED: Anti Semi-Auto Jurisdictions Cite Weapons You Never Heard Of To Justify Gun Bans)
As a Marine and dad, I’m voting Yes on 9 to keep assault weapons off our streets. https://t.co/eckH0z3Ids
— Jake Auchincloss (@JakeAuch) October 23, 2026
A note added to Auchincloss’s post pointed out that according to federal law, specifically 18 USC 922, it is illegal to have a firearm shipped directly to a residence. The actions shown in the video are a federal felony, a law that’s been in place for almost 60 years.
Gun enthusiasts often purchase partially finished receivers or frames for firearms like the AR-15, M1911, and Glock-style pistols, often as part of kits that include other components. However, the owner still needs to assemble the firearm using various tools and jigs, a process that can take up to three days based on the complexity and the builder’s skill, according to The Gun Zone.
In response to the ad, a spokesperson for Auchincloss stated that federal law does not mandate serial numbers on firearms assembled at home for personal use. However, the Massachusetts law connected to Question 9 addresses this by requiring that privately made firearms, including those built from unfinished frames or 3D printed, must have serial numbers and be registered with the state. The Congressman is advocating for these requirements to remain in place in Massachusetts.
Imagine paying a political consulting firm to record and produce an ad, but nobody bothers to fact check anything you say. What he’s demonstrating here is already a federal crime. What a joke.
— Brandon Herrera (@TheAKGuy) October 24, 2026
Herrera, who is also a social media influencer known as “the AK Guy,” holds a federal license for firearms manufacturing, as indicated on his X profile. He previously won the Republican primary against Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales, who exited the race amid a scandal involving a staffer who subsequently took their own life.
