President Obama used his recent Google hangout appearance to calm the nerves of some in the NRA who have been fooled into thinking that the government is “coming to take away their guns.” It’s a lie told by NRA’s CEO and chief lobbyist, Wayne LaPierre. A lie that is then regurgitated by Congressional Republicans in their effort to keep assault weapons on the streets.
Asked why he favored a ban on the assault weapons which only accounts for a small percentage of gun deaths, as opposed to handguns, which are responsible for the majority, the President replied;
“I actually don’t think we should ban handguns. But keep in mind what we’re trying to do is come up with a package that protects Second Amendment rights but also contributes to reduce violence.”
Obama said assault weapons and high-capacity magazines are “generally not used for hunting,” and that while banning them won’t “solve every problem,” it “can play a meaningful part” in reducing gun violence.
“When it comes to assault weapons … my concern is, for example, in Aurora, when a young person can go into a theater and shoot off a hundred rounds in less than a minute,” Obama said. “These are weapons of war … so for us to restrict some of those high-capacity magazines … that probably can save some lives.”
Meanwhile, Wayne LaPierre is continuing his fear game, telling Americans that the President is coming after their guns, so they need to go out and buy more guns in order to arm themselves against this “tyrannical government!”
If there is one thing I can say about Mr. Wayne LaPierre it will be this: He definitely knows how to keep his followers in check and to keep the checks pouring into his bank account!
