Bernie Sanders made a stunning statement about the terrorist Boston bomber — here's the video

Presidential frontrunner Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stunned many when he said that he would extend voting rights to the terrorist Boston bomber who murdered 3 people and maimed several hundred in 2013.

He was speaking at a CNN town hall event when he made the comments.

"If somebody commits a serious crime, sexual assault, murder, they're going to be punished," Sanders said.

"They may be in jail 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, their whole life. That's what happens when you commit a serious crime," he explained helpfully.

"But I think the right to vote is inherent to our democracy," he explained. "Yes, even for terrible people, because once you start chipping away … you're running down a slippery slope … I believe even if they are in jail, they're paying the price to society, that should not take away their inherent American right to participate in our democracy."

When CNN's Chris Cuomo told him his comments would likely be used against him by political opponents, he doubled down.

"Do you believe in democracy?" Sanders asked. "Do you believe every single American 18 years of age or older who is an American citizen should have the right to vote?"

Here's the video of his controversial comments:

Sanders Supports Felons, Boston Marathon Bomber Voting to Increase Voter Turnoutwww.youtube.com