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BLUMENTHAL RESPONSE TO NRA PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE NEWTOWN SCHOOL SHOOTINGDec 21, 2012 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- December 21, 2012 Contact: Nu Wexler (DC) 202-224-6452 Kamara Jones (CT) 202-224-0309 BLUMENTHAL RESPONSE TO NRA PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE NEWTOWN SCHOOL SHOOTING (Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today issued the following statement in response to the National Rifle Association's (NRA) press conference on the tragic school shooting that killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut: "The NRA's statement is sadly and shamefully inadequate - calling for more guns and rejecting real action against gun violence. At a defining, historic moment, demanding courageous leadership, the NRA has declined to step forward as a credible and constructive partner. "The NRA's proposal for more armed guards in schools may be helpful in some instances, but it falls far short of the strong, serious, comprehensive action needed to stop the kind of horrific tragedy that occurred one week ago in Newtown. "The American people are demanding real change to make our nation safe, and the NRA's proposals fail to offer any real protection from violence. NRA members in Connecticut are writing and calling me to say that the NRA does not speak for them, and that they want real change. The Newtown tragedy is a call to action and the NRA has failed to answer that call. "First, we need to do something to effectively ban assault weapons of the kind used by the Newtown killer. Weapons designed for killing and maiming human beings should not be for sale today in America. Second, we must ban high-capacity magazines also involved in this mass murder. No real hunter uses or needs 30-round clips and no self-defense situation is served by them. Third, we should ensure that all firearm sales involve a background check, including guns that are not sold by licensed dealers - and that those checks, wherever they're done, are thorough and comprehensive. Better mental health services and treatment, and stronger support and resources for enforcement of existing and new laws, must also be part of a common sense solution. "There is no single, simple solution. I hope for a dialogue with all sides in this discussion that are committed to sensible, common-sense measures, but the NRA will have to alter its approach to be taken seriously in this national debate." |