May, 02 2012, 07:00pm EDT
Brady Campaign Statement on the NRA's Defense of Dangerous "Shoot First" Laws
WASHINGTON
Brady Campaign President Dan Gross issued the following statement in response to a statement by the National Rifle Association on "Shoot First" laws:
"Since George Zimmerman's killing of Trayvon Martin, America's outrage over the gun lobby's deadly "Shoot First" laws forced the NRA into a two-month self-imposed silent exile. The darkness and danger of their vision was exposed with unusual clarity. Their reaction was to remain unusually silent.
Unfortunately, it seems they are now back to their usual business of using fear and paranoia, tinged with racism, to justify their agenda of political extremism and selling as many guns to as many people as possible.
The NRA has now issued another ridiculous and misleading statement saying "Shoot First" laws are needed to protect the "innocent." We wonder whether Trayvon Martin's parents would agree with that.
This time, the American people are not going to let the gun lobby just go back to business as usual -- using lies and deception to sell more guns to people like George Zimmerman. They claim they are supporting our freedom and our right to bear arms. A convicted felon or a terrorist can walk into a gun show in most states and buy a gun without a background check. The NRA has fought to keep it that way. Those are the only rights they are protecting - and just to make a profit.
Brady will continue to expose the deadly consequences of the gun lobby's agenda, will shine a spotlight on those elected officials who choose to protect gun industry profits over Americans' lives. We will make sure that voters know which candidates are not public servants, but servants to the gun lobby and, as a result are true accomplices in the unnecessary tragedies for which their policies are directly responsible."
Brady United formerly known as The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and its legislative and grassroots affiliate, the Brady Campaign and its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
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