As Wayne LaPierre Testified Against Gun Control, Another Multiple Shooting Occurred in Phoenix, AZ

Last updated on February 7th, 2013 at 04:59 pm

While Wayne LaPierre was testifying against gun control in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee at least three people in Phoenix, AZ were victimized in another multiple shooting.

Throughout the day, LaPierre has been arguing against any form of gun control. His basic argument against everything, but more guns was laid out in his opening statement, ” While we’re ready to participate in a meaningful effort to solve these pressing problems, we must respectfully – but honestly and firmly – disagree with some members of this committee, many in the media, and all of the gun control groups on what will keep our kids and our streets safe. Law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals. Nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully own and use to protect our families. As I said earlier, we need to be honest about what works and what does not work. Proposals that would only serve to burden the law-abiding have failed in the past and will fail in the future. Semi-automatic firearms have been around for over 100 years. They are among the most popular guns made for hunting, target shooting and self-defense. Despite this fact, Congress banned the manufacture and sale of hundreds of semi-automatic firearms and magazines from 1994 to 2004. Independent studies, including a study from the Clinton Justice Department, proved that ban had no impact on lowering crime. And when it comes to the issue of background checks, let’s be honest – background checks will never be “universal” – because criminals will never submit to them.”

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This is the argument that LaPierre has made for hours today, and it was completely undone by one piece of news out of Phoenix, AZ. According to the Arizona Republic, “At least three people are injured after a shooting occurred in Phoenix Wednesday morning, officials said. Around 10:30 a.m., officials reported that three people had suffered gunshot wounds in a building on the 7300 block of 16th Avenue, officials said. It is unknown if the shooter is in custody.”

In a nutshell, this is why the NRA is going to lose this fight. Every time they try to argue that guns aren’t the issue, more people get shot. The NRA has adopted a strategy that I like to call Crazy and Gamey. According to the NRA, the real problems are crazy people and violent video games. The Crazy and Gamey strategy is meant to shift the focus away from the role of guns in gun violence. The fact that people with mental health issues have easy access to guns is not the problem.

While the NRA is blaming everything but the gun, more people are being shot with guns.

For this reason alone, the NRA and their smokescreen of pro-gun propaganda are destined to fail.

Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.

Awards and  Professional Memberships

Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association