NRA promises to help prevent school shootings
WASHINGTON (AP) — After four days of self-imposed silence on the shooting that killed 26 people inside a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, the nation’s largest gun rights lobby emerged Tuesday and promised “to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.”
The National Rifle Association explained its unusual absence “out of respect for the families and as a matter of common decency” after Friday’s shooting that left dead 20 children, all ages 6 or 7.
The group — typically outspoken about its positions even after shooting deaths — went all but silent since the rampage. As it faced public scrutiny online and in person, the group left many wondering how — if at all — it would respond to one of the most shocking slayings in the nation’s history.
“The National Rifle Association of America is made up of 4 million moms and dads, sons and daughters, and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown,” the organization said in a statement. “The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.”
The group said it would have a news conference to answer questions Friday, the one-week anniversary of the shootings.
Almost immediately after it became clear the extent of carnage, the group’s Facebook page disappeared. It posted no tweets. It made no mention of the shooting on its website. None of its leaders hit the media circuit Sunday to promote its support of the Second Amendment right to bear arms as the nation mourns the latest shooting victims and opens a new debate over gun restrictions.
On Monday, the NRA offered no rebuttal as 300 antigun protesters marched to its Capitol Hill office.
Yet on Tuesday, the NRA re-emerged, albeit more slowly than normal and with its somber statement.
After previous mass shootings — such as in Oregon and Wisconsin — the group was quick to both send its condolences and defend gun owners’ constitutional rights, popular among millions of Americans. There’s no indication that the National Rifle Association is prepared to weaken its ardent opposition to gun restrictions but it did hint it was open to being part of a dialogue that already has begun.
Its deep-pocketed efforts to oppose gun control laws have proven resilient. Firearms are in a third or more of U.S. households and suspicion runs deep of an overbearing government whenever it proposes expanding federal authority. The argument of gun-rights advocates that firearm ownership is a bedrock freedom as well as a necessary option for self-defense has proved persuasive enough to dampen political enthusiasm for substantial change.
Seldom had the NRA gone so long after a fatal shooting without a public presence. It resumed tweeting just one day after a gunman killed two people and then himself at an Oregon shopping mall last Tuesday, and one day after six people were fatally shot at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in August.
The Connecticut shootings occurred three days after the incident in Oregon.
Since the Connecticut shootings, the NRA has been taunted and criticized at length, vitriol that may have prompted the shuttering of its Facebook page just a day after the association boasted about reaching 1.7 million supporters on the social media network.
Twitter users have been relentless, protesting the organization with hashtags like NoWayNRA. The NRA has not responded to them. Its last tweets, sent Friday, offered a chance to win an auto flashlight.
Offline, some 300 protesters gathered outside the NRA’s lobbying headquarters on Capitol Hill on Monday chanting, “Shame on the NRA” and waving signs declaring “Kill the 2nd Amendment, Not Children” and “Protect Children, Not Guns.”
“I had to be here,” said Gayle Fleming, 65, a real estate agent from Arlington, Va., saying she was attending her first antigun rally. “These were 20 babies. I will be at every rally, will sign every letter, call every congressman going forward.”
Retired attorney Kathleen Buffon of Chevy Chase, Md., reflected on earlier mass shootings, saying: “All of the other ones, they’ve been terrible. This is the last straw. These were children.” “The NRA has had a stranglehold on Congress,” she added as she marched toward the NRA’s unmarked office. “It’s time to call them out.”
The group’s reach on Capitol Hill is wide as it wields its deep pockets to defeat lawmakers, many of them Democrats, who push for restrictions on gun ownership.
The NRA outspent its chief opponent by a 73-1 margin to lobby the outgoing Congress, according to the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation, which tracks such spending. It spent more than 4,000 times its biggest opponents during the 2012 election.
In all, the group spent at least $24 million this election cycle — $16.8 million through its political action committee and nearly $7.5 million through its affiliated Institute for Legislative Action. Its chief foil, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, spent just $5,816.
On direct lobbying, the NRA also was mismatched. Through July 1, the NRA spent $4.4 million to lobby Congress to the Brady Campaign’s $60,000.
Dec 19, 2012 at 5:39 p.m.
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Mouse? What are you talking about? Here I found some examples of what happens when countries introduce gun control.
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In 1911 Turkey established gun control. Subsequently, from 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, deprived of the means to defend themselves, were rounded up and killed.
In 1929 the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, approximately 20 million dissidents were arrested and executed.
In 1938 Germany established gun control. From 1939 to 1945 over 13 million Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, mentally ill, union leaders, Catholics and others, unable to fire a shot in protest, were killed by the state.
In 1935 China established gun control. Between 1948 and 1952, over 20 million dissidents were rounded up and murdered by the Communists.
In 1956 Cambodia enshrined gun control. In just two years (1975-1977) over one million "educated" people (about 1/3 of the entire population!) were executed by the Reds.
In 1964 Guatemala locked in gun control. From 1964 to 1981 over 100,000 Mayan Indians were rounded up and killed, unable to defend themselves.
In 1970 the Ugandan dictator decreed gun control. During the next nine years over 300,000 Christians were murdered.
Over 56 million people have died, unable to defend themselves, because of gun control in the last century alone.
Dec 19, 2012 at 11:18 a.m.
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Why do you think im afraid? Im not. I collect lots of things..records, cars, guns, antiques,...etc. So you think if one collects guns they are afraid? So does that mean if I collect antiques that I am in denial of newer times and stuck in the past? I like guns because shooting them is fun, I also collect them because they hold their value.
You are stereotyping me based on my interests and investments... How dumb can one be?
Dec 19, 2012 at 11 a.m.
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Motorman,
fear4dummies
I can understand where people come from wanting to restrict guns...I own many of them. Here is a question I know more people are killed by automobiles every year than by guns where are we not wanting to take away vehicles. Wanting to buy a knock off m16 or ar15 both are very useful in hunting and target shooting and are by the rights the choice of who buys them as to what they want. No more than why would someone buy a Hummer when a tahoe would work, because they can it's their choice. That does not make anyone more dangerous than the other its the person operating it that is the danger.
Dec 19, 2012 at 10:07 a.m.
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some would do well to heed their own advice the so easily "spew" to others. Just FYI
Dec 19, 2012 at 9:19 a.m.
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Sigma, time for you to crawl back into your spider hole, the end of the world is coming, remember ? P.S. Don't forget to take your gun.
Dec 19, 2012 at 9:16 a.m.
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Mouse - Because I base what I say off of logic and reason instead of sympathy and emotion I am the reason you need control? HAHA.. Kind of a bold statement with no supporting facts becides your off the handle emotional rant. Just because you dont like what I say does not make me an extremist by any means. I would much like the world to be a better place... Much like cops are out there to preserve the peace... how effective would they be with no guns? All the guns in America, the so called "out of control" gun population is the reason houses are not broken in to every night and robbed, looted, the homeowners raped or murdered. Its also a reason no other country will ever invade us. The citizens of the USA are feared just as much as our military.. We have no Geneve Convention, no rules of engagment.
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The amount of school shotings in relation to the population of the US has actually diminished greatly. Look up on Wiki the school shootings in the US back to the 1700's.
Im not saying this event is not tragic..geez. Where you have this many people you are bound to have an issue once in awhile...its almost expected... but yes...tragic. Like cars, where you have them all the time, hundreds of thousands once in awhile you get one with a crazy person behind the wheel and kills someone. Its expected.
Dec 19, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.
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fear4dummies please go read the DC vs Heller decision as it will answer most of the questions you pose in your your post about gun rights and the second amendment.
Dec 19, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
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carlitosway
'It is not about taking the rights it is about changes for a safer America.....'
THAT is similar to what I commented....one of the changes needed.
Dec 19, 2012 at 8:22 a.m.
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Mouse - So they were kids the guy could have easily walked in and started beating people in the head with a baseball bat.....then what? No more baseball in the US? or hijacked a gasoline tanker truck and drove it through the building.....then what? No more gasoline?
Quit trying to blame the actions of someone on an object. Sure he couldnt have shot all those kids if he didnt have a gun, Ya.. he also couldnt have done it without arms or legs. Or what if the kids wernt at the school to begin with? Maybe we should have all home schooling? I do know one thing... if the Principal had a gun her attempt to stop the shooter would have been much more succesful.
20 kids.... ya. Just think if more people had guns... maybe a teacher could have took out the bad guy? Due to people fear of not wanting teachers to have guns in school.... they lost 20 kids because of. See where fear gets you? You lose.
Dec 19, 2012 at 8:15 a.m.
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motormouth...so typical of you..slam the poster and ignore the facts.
Dec 19, 2012 at 7:46 a.m.
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fearandrhetoric4dummies - Do you know the difference between a machine gun and an AR15? Or how about an AR15 versus a deer rifle? An AR15 is nothing more than a lower powered deer rifle with a handle and a pistol grip on it. The semi-automatic has been around for 100+ years and it is clearly not a machine gun, there are several models of semi-auto deer rifles.
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Also what is "military type"? Black guns? Because im not seeing how a handle and a grip make it any more dangerous than a deer rifle with a wood grain stock and no handle.. ??
If I spray painted my car camo, would I then be sporting a "military type" car? Would I then be dangerous?
Dec 19, 2012 at 6:43 a.m.
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How does anyone know that the guns were actually the mothers? Maybe she just registered them in her name so he could have them????? That happens all the time. My dad purchased pistols for me and my brother before we were of age to buy them. Just because something is "registered" to you does not mean you actually own it. I have friends that due to child support laws have to have their friends/family register their vehicles. Because if you owe child support and want to make some money to pay it off by fixing up a car and selling it, you cant sell it beause the state put a lien on it. So you owe money but cant sell anything. nice laws we have.
Having someone else register something so another can own it is like the secondary American way.. I know several cases.
Dec 19, 2012 at 6:36 a.m.
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After the Benghazi murders, Obama took off to appear on The View or some other tv show and said nothing. With these murders he wants to change federal gun policies. Why was he so quiet after Benghazi? Who was he afraid of offending?
Dec 19, 2012 at 6:16 a.m.
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carlit...it is not BS and "radical garbage" to blame the mother in this case. IMO I blame her totally. She had a screw lose too. What mother in her right mind would have lots of guns around the house with a son who had mental challenges? She took him to target ranges and taught him how to shoot! Would you have bottles of booze in the house if your spouse was an alcoholic? She is to blame for his access to guns and learning to use them.
Dec 19, 2012 at 5:28 a.m.
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Here's an idea. Give EVERYONE a gun but lock up all the ammo! That way you get to keep your gun.
Dec 19, 2012 at 1:24 a.m.
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Justa-heres the second amendment: ""A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed""
See the beginning that says "well regulated" the culture that we live in is NOT well regulated. Just because you don't want to wait 60 days doesn't mean that you couldn't or shouldn't. Nothing wrong with that. our only argument is that "I shouldn't have to" sorry but you should. You also should be subjected to a menal health test at YOUR expense. While the right to keep and bear arms may be a right it certainly is not and shoould not be unfettered. Also try and remember when the amendment was written the weapons they were talking about? Muskats, not Ar-15s and other assault weapons that are made for one reason and one only to kill people.
So just because YOPU dont want to wait 60 days, doesnt mean you shouldnt have to. Use that 60 days to get cleared mentally and get your background checks done, dont like it buy a knife. Fact remains these are common sense suggestions and they are coming, FINALLY. Whats too bad is that we had to have a class of first graders murdered to get these regulations in place.
Where in the amendment does it give you the right in the second amendment to: "" I want to shoot an SKS or any semi auto that's my right""
There is no stated right to possess or fire these weapons, its just not there. Its how YOU interpret the law, I happen to interpret it much differently. You use it as an excuse to tockpile military type weapons. I see it as a limitation and a meaning of regulation by the people of a militia. So help me find in the second amendment where it says you have the right to fire machine guns?
Dec 19, 2012 at 12:59 a.m.
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Motorman applaud your comment Thank you. Many friends that are gun owners are not as against change after this tragedy and a few just do not get the point of having a safer country for these children and the ones to come. It is not about taking the rights it is about changes for a safer America.....
Dec 19, 2012 at 12:54 a.m.
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Thank you fordfan. Wislady they do not want to take Rights away Please follow the real news and see what they would like to change. To ban 30 round clips and assault rifles is not asking a whole lot. To also have stricter background checks is a positive and BTW no one really knows what issues this kid had. He said/she said is all they really have. to blame the mother is typical radical garbage and is BS. Also no one is exempt from crossing the line of rational thinking NO One. IMO they need to run drug and alcohol checks also. I am all for the right to Bear Arms But if you actually read the 2nd Amendment as it was written you might be surprised as to what it meant and what weapons were approved.. Merry Christmas and Prayers to all the lives lost in the shootings in this country.
Dec 18, 2012 at 11:17 p.m.
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fear4dummies: I should not have to wait 60 days to buy a gun just bcuz we have nuts that want to kill people,if they are going to do it they will find a way. I didn't read the story but I do know the NRA, the gun or the mother shot any of these people, put the fault where it belongs. Do we need some of the rifles or clips that are out there? no but if I want to shoot an SKS or any semi auto that's my right. I got my first BB gun when I was around 14 and I haven't had the want to shoot anyone in my life. People who do own these type guns or any gun should always keep them locked up but a lot of guns that are ending up in the wrong hands come from people who like to steal rob and break into other people's houses, don't put it on the people who go by the law ... put it on the people who pull the trigger and do the killing. What happened last Friday is a very sad thing and never ever should happen, my prayers and thoughts are with the families and the ones lost ....
Dec 18, 2012 at 10:08 p.m.
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Had the mother of the killer been a responsible gun owner, there would be 27 less dead people.
There should be far greater standards for aquiring firearms in this country. By requiring people to jump through hoops to obtain a firearm legally is in no way infringing on rights, its ensuring the safety of a society.
Ways in which we can regulate this effectively:
1) longer waiting periods (60 days) to acquire a weapon.
2) required mental Health screenings
3) a FEDERAL database for background checks. This would ensure that criminals could not go 3 states away acquire a weapon come back and commit a crime.
4) A ban on assault rifles, there is no need for any normal citizen to have them, none!! You can defend yourself with a handgun and/or many other waeapons. No reasonable human being would ever need one of these
Dec 18, 2012 at 10:03 p.m.
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Shopierehuh said, "The shrieking, wailing, anti freedom, anti gun left who misses no opportunity to do a tap dance on the graves of innocent victims in the pursuit of their agenda should learn a little lesson in class and consideration from this respectful gesture of the NRA."
Please, shopierehuh, you forgot to quote the counterpoint to your comment. That being, "Seldom had the NRA gone so long after a fatal shooting without a public presence. It resumed tweeting just one day after a gunman killed two people and then himself at an Oregon shopping mall last Tuesday, and one day after six people were fatally shot at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin in August."
The NRA is clearly in a quandary about how to react to this tragedy. I believe they fully understand the usual day-after-disaster flood the airwaves approach they've used in the past wasn't going to work this time.
Dec 18, 2012 at 9:26 p.m.
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Motorman, I agree.
Dec 18, 2012 at 8:20 p.m.
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They can help by recruiting more members and help make people aware guns are not bad and not to be afraid of them.
Dec 18, 2012 at 8:13 p.m.
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"The National Rifle Association explained its unusual absence “out of respect for the families and as a matter of common decency” after Friday’s shooting..."
The shrieking, wailing, anti freedom, anti gun left who misses no opportunity to do a tap dance on the graves of innocent victims in the pursuit of their agenda should learn a little lesson in class and consideration from this respectful gesture of the NRA.
Dec 18, 2012 at 8:06 p.m.
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We need a solution to prevent mentally ill people from getting gun access. The answer is not to take away the rights of law abiding citizens.
Dec 18, 2012 at 8:06 p.m.
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Meanwhile, the ranks of NRA members is swelling, thousands more are joining since this onslaught of non-reason. Any of you freedom loving Americans who are reading this might want to consider a membership if you are not already a member. The organization needs your help. I will send their Institute for Legislative Action a substantial donation in tomorrow's mail.
Dec 18, 2012 at 6:57 p.m.
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At one time I was a NRA member but left because of their radical views. That was many years ago and it appears they have become even more radical since then. I joined NRA because of its support for hunting but it was not worth supporting such radical, paranoid positions that they take. I suspect they will offer on Friday to place volunteer sharpshooters at schools, offer some weapon to every school who asks or offer free firearms training to staff members. I hope I am wrong and that they offer some solid, progressive solution to help reduce the gun violence that has beset our nation. I am not holding my breath……
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