Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) fiercely criticized the National Rifle Association after remarks by its Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre at the group’s national conference over the weekend.
The Connecticut senator, who has repeatedly clashed with the NRA since the Newtown, Conn. shootings and the fallout in Congress, said in a Sunday statement that LaPierre had brought “disgrace” and “shame” to the pro-gun group.
“Yesterday, when NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said of the organization’s critics ‘let them be damned,’ he was talking to 90 percent of Americans who support criminal background checks and other common sense gun violence prevention measures. His remarks disgrace the organization and its members – most of them supporters of expanding background checks.
“LaPierre also callously claimed that the horrific tragedy in Newtown was used to ‘shame’ the organization. The truth is that the NRA shames itself by misleading the American public and its membership about the need for sensible gun safety measures, and working to block such measures at all costs.
“I will continue to stand and work with victims of gun violence, law enforcement officials, and responsible gun owners to push for measures that keep our families and communities safe. The offensive remarks made this weekend by LaPierre and other top leaders of the NRA will only cause us to redouble our efforts for common sense reform.”
