Nadler Slams NRA's So-Called "Meaningful Contribution" on Gun Violence

Statement

Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) condemned the National Rifle Association's proposal for armed guards in every American school as the answer to Newtown and ubiquitous gun violence. Nadler issued the following statement:

"The NRA's response to the Newtown massacre is both ludicrous and insulting, and they are fundamentally out of step with the American people on the issue of gun violence. Instead of making a sincere and good faith concession toward gun control reform -- like enhanced, universal background checks, which the vast majority of its members support -- the NRA has offered a fantasy suggestion for congressional action on a massive federal spending increase, backed by a disingenuous offer of NRA-funded training premised on that fantasy being actualized.

"What happened to their promise for a "meaningful contribution?' To argue that kids are not safe because too few "good guys' have guns is to ignore every fact on the ground. The armed personnel at Columbine and Fort Hood, tragically, could not prevent the shooters from committing mass murder.

"And, beyond the cost of providing armed guards for each school -- $5.4 billion a year just for salaries, in some estimates -- this remedy does nothing to provide checks on "bad guys' gaining access to guns or to remove the most dangerous and unnecessary types of firearms from circulation. What we need is NOT more guns but sensible gun control legislation, including a ban on assault weapons and a comprehensive buyback program, a robust and centralized system of background checks, and a reassessment of our mental health services."

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