NBC David Gregory accused National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre of ignoring the voice of the American people on certain Democratic-inspired gun control measures during a “Meet the Press” interview on Sunday.
The context of the accusation was New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s announcement to spend $12 million of his own money on gun control advertisements. The NRA, in response, is launching a campaign against these efforts. Mr. LaPierre’s view: Mr. Bloomberg “can’t buy America,” he said.
“He can’t spend enough of his $27 billion to try to impose his will on the American people,” Mr. LaPierre said. “They don’t want him in their restaurants, they don’t want him in their homes, they don’t want him telling them what food to eat. They sure don’t want him telling what self-defense firearms to own.”
On Sunday, Mr. Gregory said that 90 percent of Americans favor background checks.
And “among people who own guns,” he continued, “85 percent support [background checks]. Are you thwarting the will of the American people by standing in opposition to universal background checks?”
Mr. LaPierre said the notion of universal background checks was a “dishonest premise” because it does not guaranteed — and cannot guarantee — that criminals will undergo them.
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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