Alabama state senator on immigration:'Empty the clip and do what has to be done.'

[fuelair]

I don't even know what that metaphor could mean, really. If it was "pull the trigger," it might make sense.

Well he seems to be an Alabaman who doesn't know projectile weapons - you use clips to install bullets in existing locations (mostly revolvers with moon or half moon clips or rifles with strip clips). A magazine holds the bullets and feeds them for firing one at a time. You empty magazines to do what he implies. Emptying clips is just loading the weapon.