Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Via Talking Points Memo, Bloomberg On NRA Presser: ‘A Shameful Evasion Of The Crisis Facing Our Country’:
In a statement released by his office on Friday, New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg castigated the press conference held earlier in the
day by leaders of the National Rifle Association, who he accused of
engaging in "a shameful evasion of the crisis facing our country":
The NRA's Washington leadership has long been out of step with its
members, and never has that been so apparent as this morning. Their
press conference was a shameful evasion of the crisis facing our
country. Instead of offering solutions to a problem they have helped
create, they offered a paranoid, dystopian vision of a more dangerous
and violent America where everyone is armed and no place is safe.
Leadership is about taking responsibility, especially in times of
crisis. Today the NRA's lobbyists blamed everyone but themselves for the
crisis of gun violence. While they promote armed guards, they continue
to oppose the most basic and common sense steps we can take to save
lives – not only in schools, but in our movie theaters, malls, and
streets. Enough. As a country, we must rise above special interest
politics. Every day, 34 Americans are murdered with guns. That's why 74
percent of NRA members support common sense restrictions like criminal
background checks for anyone buying a gun. It is time for Americans who
care about theSecond Amendment and reasonable gun restrictions to join
together to work with the President and Congress to stop the gun
violence in this country. Demand a plan.