Senators Call NRA Statement a ‘Sad and Shameful’ Response to Sandy Hook Shootings
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Democratic Senators called the NRA’s statement Friday a “sad and shameful” response to the shootings which killed 20 children at Sandy Hook elementary one week ago.
“The NRA statement today is sadly and shamefully inadequate, calling for more guns and rejecting real action against gun violence,” Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal said Friday at a press conference on Capitol Hill. “At a defining historic moment for our nation demanding courageous leadership, the NRA has declined to step forward as a credible and constructive partner.”
Blumenthal said that the NRA’s proposal for more armed guards in school may seem like a good idea but he added the devil is in the details.
“They’re contemplating volunteers, watchdog dads, which I think is problematic itself, raising concerns about safety, expertise, effectiveness. So I think the American people are looking for real solutions, serious, comprehensive proposals rather than what we heard today.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., noted that many schools already have armed guards which has not prevented many shootings, including, she noted, Columbine in 1999.
“There were two armed law enforcement officers who twice engaged the shooters at Columbine, that didn’t prevent 15 from being killed and 23 wounded,” Feinstein said. “The NRA’s blanket call to arm our schools is really nothing more than a distraction. It’s a delay tactic. It’s a distraction from the availability of military-style assault weapons on our streets, in our schools, used at malls, used at workplaces, used in movie theaters.”
Feinstein received a call from President Clinton Thursday. The former president pledged his help to Sen. Feinstein as she proceeds to try to reinstate the assault weapons ban.
“To have him part of the team again is really quite, quite special for us,” Feinstein said.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio