Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush mocked for 'America' gun tweet

Republican US presidential candidate Jeb Bush was met with strong criticism and derision online after tweeting a picture of an engraved gun with the caption "America".

The former Governor of Florida had visiting gun makers FN Manufacturing in South Carolina and was presented with a personalised handgun as memento.

When Mr Bush, who is struggling in the race to become the Republican presidential candidate, posted a picture of the firearm to Twitter he was met with a storm of jokes and criticism.

Within minutes it had been retweeted thousands of times and drew a range of largely negative responses:

US government whistle-blower Edward Snowden was rather blunt:

"Delete your account" he said.

Many people also attacked Bush's post for glamourising weapons in a country plagued by gun violence.

Whilst others suggested that the photo was a publicity stunt.

But hundreds of responses to Mr Bush simply made fun of him:

The New York Daily News also ran a front page headline slamming Bush for the post.

Others also pointed out that FN Manufacturing is a subsidiary of a Belgian arms company, which meant the handgun wasn't really American at all.

In another blow to his campaign, it appears that people attempting to visit his website at jebbush.com are being redirected to Donald Trump's campaign page.