There's a scene in the movie where he leaves his 3 inch, 8 shot, S&W revolver in his backpack right next to a young child.  The child reaches in & says something like "Is this your gun?"

Eastwood's character (McAleb) replies that he is not to touch it.  He says something like "Do not touch this gun.  Its ok.  This is my Smith & Wesson gun.  It holds 8 shots.  You should not touch this gun or any other gun.  Its my fault that I left this laying around for you to reach so easily.  It won't happen again."  

I'm paraphrasing but it went something like that.  The movie was great & I was lost in the show until that obvious political scene...it had absolutely nothing to do with the movie plot.

The idea was ok with me...just took me off guard that he was making a political statement in the middle of one of his best shows.