Ted Cruz challenges Joe Biden to gun control debate (VIDEO)

GlobalPost

In a possible preview of the 2016 presidential race, rising Republican star Ted Cruz challenged Vice President Joe Biden to a debate on gun control laws.

The Texas senator issued the challenge while delivering yesterday's keynote address at the National Rifle Association Leadership Forum in Houston.

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“If Vice President Biden really believes that the facts are on his side ... then I would think he would welcome the opportunity to talk about the sources, the causes of violent crime, who is carrying it out, and how we can do everything humanly possible to stop it," Cruz said.

A combative and unapologetic gun rights activist, Cruz railed against the "Obama liberals" he said are trying to repeal various constitutional rights.

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His invitation comes amid reports that Biden is set to revive a legislative push for the gun control legislation that failed in the Senate last month.

Speaking in South Carolina last night, Biden referenced a Republican dinner Cruz was attending down the road but didn't mention the senator by name.

He also didn't respond to Cruz's challenge earlier in the day.

"I don't want to make any news tonight," Biden said jokingly.

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