Sarah Palin: If I were in charge, waterboarding is how we'd baptize terrorists

INDIANAPOLIS, April 27 (UPI) -- Sarah Palin took to the stage in Indianapolis Saturday to speak out against gun control legislation at the National Rifle Association's "Stand And Fight" gathering.

Speaking before a crowd of thousands at Lucas Oil stadium, Palin, who has embraced her role as a controversial figure since being thrust into the spotlight six years ago, spoke out against the Obama administration and Attorney General Eric Holder's efforts to curb gun use in the U.S.

“Do you know why those clownish little Kumbaya-humming fairytale-inhaling liberals want to be tough all of a sudden and control your guns?” the former Governor baited. “It’s ‘cuz guys like [Sen.] Al Franken and [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid, they are not satisfied with just taking your money and your job, your truck and your property and your rights, your healthcare -- they didn’t want to just stop at that.”

The speech eventually turned to national security, where Palin lamented a political climate she feels is growing too diplomatic with groups who may be associated with terrorists.

"Come on. Enemies, who would utterly annihilate America, they who'd obviously have information on plots, to carry out Jihad. Oh, but you can't offend them, can't make them feel uncomfortable, not even a smidgen. Well, if I were in charge, they would know that waterboarding is how we'd baptize terrorists."

A spokesperson for the NRA estimated about 12,000 tickets were sold for the event which concluded today with the National Gun Collectors awards ceremony.