After Gary Johnson won the nomination for President of the United States of the Libertarian Party (United States), Petersen delivered a concession speech. During the speech, Petersen said, "You have my full support, my full respect, and my gun!" and proceeded to gift Johnson with a replica of George Washington's flintlock pistol. Petersen could not, however, endorse Johnson's preferred Vice Presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Governor, William Weld. He threw his support to ballot access lawyer Alicia Dearn. Afterwards, Gary Johnson threw away the pistol that Austin Petersen had given him.