WATCH: Kristi Noem says ‘almost 2-year-old’ granddaughter has shotgun and rifle

Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) received criticism after she spoke to the annual National Rifle Association convention on Friday and assured the crowd that her 1-year-old granddaughter already has a shotgun and rifle.

While speaking in Indianapolis, Noem told the audience about her “amazing family” and grandchildren.

“Can you believe I’m a grandma? Not just once either, but twice,” she said. “For those of you with grandchildren, you know, they are why we get up each day and continue to fight for our values.”

The governor added, “Little Miss Addie and Branch have brought us so much joy. And Miss Addie, who is almost 2 years old, already has both a shotgun and a rifle! Welcome to South Dakota.”

Noem received blowback in response to the comments about her granddaughter.

“Absolutely sickening. How the hell is this real life in America?” tweeted Tennessee Democrat Chris D. Jackson.

“We really don’t need a repeat of this headline,” a social media user tweeted, along with a news story about a 3-year-old Florida boy fatally shooting himself with a handgun.

Another person tweeted, “South Dakota sounds terrifying.”

“I hope parents of potential playdate kids see this,” another person wrote on Twitter.

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During her 24-minute speech, the governor took time to sign an executive order “further protect the 2nd Amendment rights of South Dakotans.” The order that she signed on Friday would prohibit government agencies from contracting with large banks that discriminate against firearm-related entities.

“I may be a mom and a grandma, but I AM THE NRA. Today, I signed an Executive Order to protect the 2nd Amendment rights of South Dakotans from being infringed upon by financial institutions,” Noem said on social media.