NRA on Newtown Massacre: We Need More Good Guys With Guns

     For the NRA the answer is always more guns. Plato debated What is Truth? What constitutes the Good Life.  The NRA answer is obvious: packing heat.

   "The National Rifle Association stunned Washington observers Friday when the group’s CEO announced a plan to install armed guards at every school in the country — its response to the Connecticut shooting last week that left 20 children dead."

    "Wayne LaPierre called the idea the National School Shield program, which would rely on local police forces. It will be led by former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.)."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/nra-pushes-armed-guards-in-schools-85408.html#ixzz2FiAKrgN3

     So in LaPierre, we have a conservative who isn't concerned about too much spending in Washington:

     "LaPierre acknowledged police budgets across the country are stretched and urged Congress to “appropriate whatever is necessary” to fund the program. He said retired police and military could also be tapped to serve in the program, which he wants enacted in January.
“We can deploy them to protect our kids now,” he said. “We can immediately make America’s schools safer — relying on the brave men and women of America’s police force.”

     As for the cause, it seems that everything is to blame for all these mass shootings except the thing that ties them altogether: the weapon of choice. I mean if the Newtown shooter didn't have a gun he would have killed 26 people by putting his hands around their necks and not letting go. The video games and Hollywood made him do it:

     "During the lengthy press conference, LaPierre also blamed the media and video game industry for glorifying violence."

      "He did not take any questions from the press."

      So if you thought that the depth and terribleness of the tragedy might lead to a more conciliatory tone you don't know the NRA apparently.

      Other observers had expected the NRA to strike a more cooperative tone at the media event, since pressure is mounting in Washington for reform. President Barack Obama announced Wednesday he wants a concrete plan in front of Congress by next month. And pro-gun Democrats have softened in recent days.

      Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/nra-pushes-armed-guards-in-schools-85408.html#ixzz2FiEvXft0

       To say that this speech was not a success for NRA pr is putting it mildly:

       "The political class began reacting to the event right away."

        “I don’t even know where to begin. As a supporter of the Second Amendment and a supporter of the NRA — even though I’m not a member of the NRA — I just found it very haunting and very disturbing that our country now is talking about arming our teachers and our principals in classrooms,” said former RNC chairman Michael Steel on MSNBC immediately after LaPierre finished his comments.

         Dan Gross from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence went further.

       "Dan Gross with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said the NRA isn’t have the discussion the public wants, calling it an “absurd debate.”

       “I don’t even support talking about it,” Gross said. “It’s not the conversation the American public wants to have. Our job is to bring to bear what the American public thinks on this issue.”

      "Gun control advocates on Capitol Hill vowed to keep the issue front and center as news organizations continued to cover the victims’ funerals in the small town."

      "The NRA’s response to the mass shooting is at odds with what lawmakers have been pushing on Capitol Hill, urging the reintroduction of the assault rifle ban and legislation that would ban extended magazine clips."

      "Obama has tasked Vice President Joe Biden to lead a guns commission and report back by January."

      "Obama also responded to the more than 400,000 people who have signed a petitions on the White House’s We the People website. In a web video Friday, Obama urged Americans to continue pushing to combat gun violence."

     In Lapierre's speech teh NRA had lots of security guards on call:

     "The NRA’s reaction to the shooting is in stark contrast to what it has typically done following shootings where it did little more than putting out a statement. The NRA isn’t stopping with the press conference. LaPierre is scheduled to give his first interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday."

      "Held at the historic Willard Hotel, the NRA kept a tight lid on security with at least a dozen guards, security sweep and multiple security guard check points before journalists could enter the room where the press conference was held."

      "The event drew dozens of reporters, including high profile journalists like New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd."

     Were all these guards armed? The NRA follows it's own advice... They seem to think that society can only be held together with the "good guys" all being sharp shooters. Only the sharpest shooter even gets to live.