Time Magazine reports:
Wayne LaPierre, the National Rifle Association’s Executive Vice President, said at the Conservative Political Action Conference Thursday that politicians and the media are exploiting the deadly Florida school shooting to expand gun control and ultimately abolish the second amendment, striking a defiant tone in his first public remarks since a shooting that killed 17 people and reignited the gun control debate in the U.S. to a fever pitch.
“As usual, the opportunists waited not one second to exploit tragedy for political gain,” LaPierre said during CPAC, the annual gathering of conservative activists and Republican leaders in National Harbor, Md. “Chris Murphy, Nancy Pelosi, and more, cheered on by the national media, eager to blame the NRA and call for more government control.” “They hate the NRA,” LaPierre said.”The elites don’t care one wit about school children. If they truly cared, they would protect them.”
This is how Wayne LaPierre describes Democrats just before Pence speaks at CPAC: “A party that is now infested with saboteurs who don’t believe in capitalism, don’t believe in the Constitution, don’t believe in our freedom, and don’t believe in America as we know it.” (via CBS) pic.twitter.com/LDduPqOlVB
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 22, 2018
Wayne LaPierre in his CPAC speech disparages “elites” and “the privileged” and “the powerful” and Washington in general. His compensation from the NRA tops $5 million annually, tax documents show.
— Julie Bykowicz (@bykowicz) February 22, 2018
Wayne LaPierre now blaming mass shootings on the “failure”’of “family, school security and even the FBI.” Everything but the easy access to mass murder weapons.
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) February 22, 2018
Wayne LaPierre is now attacking the FBI’s leadership, which has nothing to do with guns but has everything to do with Trump.
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) February 22, 2018
.@NRA‘s Wayne LaPierre: “Any American school that needs immediate professional consultation and help… should call the @NRA‘s School Shield Program. And we will provide immediate assistance and we will also provide it absolutely free.” pic.twitter.com/I9gQRsordB
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 22, 2018
The fact that the FCC won’t let us call Wayne LaPierre a Godless, America-hating, Satan’s buttplug of a fuckwit on Broadcast TV proves we already accept some limits on our constitutional rights
— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 22, 2018
Hmmm, why would Wayne LaPierre denounce the FBI? Is the @FBI actively investigating if Kremlin operatives funneled massive amounts of money to the @NRA to influence the 2016 elections? https://t.co/TrXrY3jx9m
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 22, 2018
Wayne LaPierre has now invoked antifa, Berkley, George Soros, and socialism in his speech. Because apparently those are reasons not to do background checks on gun purchases.
You gonna come claim him, conservatives? He’s all yours. This is what you have become. #CPAC2018
— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) February 22, 2018
Reminder: Wayne LaPierre and the @NRA were one of the largest outside donors to Donald Trump’s campaign at more than $30M.
Loosening federal gun laws and militarizing our schools and public places is the ROI they’ve been waiting for…#CPAC2018 https://t.co/meBYYnQFsz
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) February 22, 2018
What many people don’t understand, or don’t want to understand, is that Wayne, Chris and the folks who work so hard at the @NRA are Great People and Great American Patriots. They love our Country and will do the right thing. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018