After days of silence, the National Rifle Association, headquartered in Fairfax, has released a statement on the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., saying it will make "meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."
In the release, the organization begins to explain its silence, saying: "Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting."
Critics had called out the group in the days following the shooting: As citizens and legislators began to fall on either side of a debate about what, if at all, should be done about gun laws, many wondered why the group was absent from the conversation.
Patch submitted a media request with the NRA, which also houses its National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, and has yet to receive comment. The organization released its statement Tuesday to the press.
The organization announced it will hold a press conference Friday in Washington, D.C.
More details on Friday's press conference will be released when timing is deemed "appropriate," according to the statement.
The statement comes after both President Barack Obama and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said they want to tighten gun laws in light of Friday's shootings.
"Enough is enough," said Warner, who has an "A" rating from the NRA.
“I‘ve been a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights,” the Democrat from Alexandria said Monday outside the Virginia Capitol, where he was attending an unrelated meeting, The Washington Post reported Monday.
“But the status quo isn’t acceptable," he continued, as reported by the Post. "There’s got to be a way to put reasonable restrictions, particularly as we look at assault weapons, as we look at these fast clips of ammunition.”
See also:
Speak Out: Should Teachers Be Armed?
Sen. Warner: Newtown is 'Game Changer' on Guns
What Should America (and Virginia) Do About Guns?
Gov. McDonnell Orders School Safety Review
Erica R. Hendry and Mary Ann Barton contributed reporting to this story.
I feel that it would be important to consider including a behavioral psychiatrist or more to help disseminate what is important and what is not at your meeting. Would you consider teaching the schools staff and community of what to be aware of and what to look for in characteristics of suicidal, depressed or manic behavior. I would think that perhaps arranging rescue drills including local medical services physicians and other support groups, as well as, citizens who could be instrumental - especially your senior citizen population to help in a crisis. Frankly, I do not believe going after guns or assault rifles is the answer. Most guns used in these gun massacres were obtained legally. I value our 2nd amendment rights and do not wish to see controversial legislation attacking the gun or all the responsible citizens that own a gun for protection even when out in the community with a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Perhaps it is time to hold responsible drug manufacturers and psychiatrist to a more rigid standard in prescribing psychiatric medications with criminal responsibility or negligence in the use and treatment of mind altering drugs.
THAT would make more sense since the NRA doesnt make guns or ammo, and there are more deaths due to drunk driving than guns. Second ammendment is there to protect us from A tyrannical government. Take away our guns, and you take away our ability to defend our homes from a force that could take over the government from within. Second Ammendment is NOT for hunting. It is for self defense. Just think if the founding fathers had given up THEIR weapons, and thwn stood up to a corrupt government trampling their rights!
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The NRA being involved in the solution is actually a huge step as we are far more likely to get something functional that will actually help instead of pointless crap like the '94 AW ban which managed to have zero impact over the course of its 10 year run.