NRA casts president's gun plan as 'attack' on Second Amendment
National Rifle Association, Fairfax, Va., came out against President Obama's gun control proposals, by characterizing them as an attack on firearms. NRA also called Obama an "elitist hypocrite" in an ad the organization released on a cable channel.
But at least one association was quick to support the president's plan.
President Obama released his plan earlier this week, forged by a monthlong effort by Vice President Biden following the shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The gunman killed teachers and students before committing suicide. NRA attended Biden's task force meeting, which the organization characterized as "an agenda to attack the Second Amendment."
The president's plan includes closing background check loopholes; banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; making schools safer; and increasing access to mental health services. For some of his plan he is calling for congressional action; other parts he is implementing by executive action.
"This is our first task as a society - keeping our children safe," he said. He added that "saving even one life" makes his changes worthwhile.
At least one association has voiced support for Obama's plan. National League of Cities president Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor of Avondale, Ariz., said: "The actions and ideas shared by President Obama today speak to the comprehensive effort necessary to reduce gun violence across our country. Further, we believe the president is correct in not waiting for Congress to act by using his powers of executive order to begin safeguarding the lives of our citizens immediately."
NRA agreed with keeping children safe and pledged to work with Congress on that point. But NRA added, "Attacking firearms and ignoring children is not a solution to the crisis we face as a nation. Only honest, law-abiding gun owners will be affected [by the president's plan] and our children will remain vulnerable to the inevitability of more tragedy."
The association asserts that membership has grown by the hundreds of thousands since the administration began discussing new gun controls.
In a more strongly stated opinion in an ad that aired originally on the Sportsman Channel, NRA called the president an "elitist hypocrite," because the president has not embraced the organization's proposal to put armed security in each U.S. school, while his daughters are protected by armed security while at school. NRA was criticized by many for bringing the president's daughters into the conversation.
Earlier, NRA also blasted companies that produce violent video games. NRA recently released its own shooting range simulation game called "NRA: Practice Range," which is available only for the iPhone and iPad. The game received a 4+ rating by iPhone standards. The app is free, and includes tips on gun safety.
