Rick Santorum Shoots Gun At Firing Range, Condemns 'Pretend It's Obama' Comment

Rick Santorum visited a firing range Friday during a campaign stop in West Monroe, Louisiana. The GOP presidential primary candidate took a few shots at a paper target, to applause from the crowd.

As he began firing, a woman shouted, "Pretend it's Obama!"

Santorum, who was wearing hearing protection, told reporters later he hadn't heard the comment.

"It's absurd," he said. "No, we're not pretending it's anybody, but shooting pistols. It's a very terrible and horrible remark, and I'm glad I didn't hear it."

NBC reported that the U.S. Secret Service was looking into the comment.

Polling shows Santorum with a double-digit lead in Louisiana, although state party rules mean that might not translate into much of a gain in delegates. The state holds its primary Saturday.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated that Santorum was wearing headphones; he was wearing hearing protection.