NRA And The UCC Shooting: NRA Under Fire For Latest Tragedy, Pressure Mounts To Help Change Gun Laws
The NRA is under fire after the Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon that occurred on Thursday. Thirteen people were killed and 20 injured after a 26-year-old gunman opened fire inside a college in the small Oregon town of Roseburg. Ironically, the campus was a gun-free zone.
Bustle wrote a blazing piece about the National Rifle Association after the Umpqua Community College shooting. It wrote that just hours prior to the shooting, the following tweet was posted about a woman who was giving tips for accuracy and precision for intended targets.
.@KristyTitus explains how to have a clear sight picture for precise & accurate shots: https://t.co/rlFbv07cGnpic.twitter.com/daCJjJQf0n
— NRA News (@nranews) October 1, 2015
The writer said that the tweet “highlights the main problem with the pro-gun organization’s agenda,” and adding, “in its fight for Second Amendment rights, the NRA is blind to the fatal consequences of loose gun laws that aren’t curbing gun violence in America.”
As the NRA states on its website about the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms, its website reads: “Together with our more than five million members, we’re proud defenders of history’s patriots and diligent protectors of the Second Amendment.”
The NRA tweet also referenced the article that linked. The bio of Kristy Titus explains that she’s a Cabela’s Pro Staff Ambassador, as well as a NRA-certified Refuse To Be A Victim and basic pistol instructor. She’s described as loving the outdoors and is an expert on tips and tactics involving firearms.
The New York Daily News just published an article about the father of one of the slain victims from the Oregon college shooting. The title began with “Republican party, NRA has blood on their hands.”
“This is domestic terrorism. The NRA and the Republican Party have blood on their hands.
“Anytime anyone suggests gun legislation, their immediate reaction is that we are trying to take their guns away. That is not what we are trying to do. Even most NRA members are in favor of sensible gun legislation, such as background checks. That’s all we are suggesting.”
The National Rifle Association is more than just a club of gun enthusiasts. It’s also one of the largest lobbyists in Congress. Member dues and donations are funneled from the NRA (and the companies that lobby on behalf of the NRA) right into the campaign coffers of elected congressmen and women, and into their pockets in the form of lobbying gifts — all legal, of course. Because of this, Congress will not vote against the NRA’s wishes in fears of losing that revenue stream. This high-level of lobbying and campaign contributions essentially means that the NRA dictates how the gun vote will go — not your elected officials. And after a senseless mass shooting, like today in Oregon, the debate once again rages.
It’s a never-ending debate that now has the NRA under more pressure to stay out of the business of governing. President Barack Obama openly expressed his frustration at what he deems loose gun control laws in America. The repeated mass shootings in the nation has Obama fuming, calling for tougher gun laws.
Even celebrities are tweeting their anger at the National Rifle Association — and several media outlets are lashing out at them as well. It’s an emotional day for everyone following the Umpqua Community College shooting.
Piers Morgan is perhaps leading the pack with attacking America’s Second Amendment.
What are you going to do, America? Anything? Or does the slaughter just go on and on and on? #guns #oregon
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 1, 2015
a) I’m in England. b) The only people crying about guns are the families of those killed/wounded in Oregon. https://t.co/K0jaIX3zfz
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 1, 2015
A lot of reports were put out there within hours of the shooting to take a stand against the NRA and what it stands for. The ongoing issue of Second Amendment rights and stricter gun laws won’t cease any time soon. It’s especially poignant after a horrible shooting tragedy, the latest one of which marks the 45th shooting in U.S. public schools in 2015, according to Bustle. A statistical data table was posted on its website while making its arguments.
Visibly angry Obama demands action on gun violence after #UCCShooting; WATCH: http://t.co/o0iXzMdMU3 pic.twitter.com/uV2BbgsriZ
— The Hill (@thehill) October 2, 2015
What will the NRA’s reaction be to the Umpqua Community College shooting in light of all the criticism being thrown its direction? Or better yet, how much will it cost them in campaign contributions this time?
[Photo Credit: NRA HQ video screenshot]
