The NRA is still facing stinging criticism for remarks this week on the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, with a growing number of groups and individuals condemning a proposal to have armed police officers in schools.
In the first public statement since shutting down social media in the wake of last Friday’s school shooting, NRA leader Wayne LaPierre blamed gun violence on everything from video games to the media. As USA Today , the NRA also proposed a “ model school shield program ” that placed armed guards at schools rather than going after stricter gun control measures.
In the wake of those statements, Wayne LaPierre and the NRA immediately came under harsh criticism from individuals and groups who saw the comments as tone deaf.
That criticism has not waned yet. The New York Daily News tore into the NRA on Saturday for the gun lobby’s press conference, calling LaPierre the “craziest man on earth.” Even the conservative New York Post criticized the NRA, calling LaPierre a “gun nut” and “NRA loon” on its cover
Rupert Murdoch, owner of the New York Post and Fox News , even seemed on board with stricter gun control, bucking the NRA.
“Terrible news today,” he tweeted. “When will politicians find courage to ban automatic weapons? As in Oz after similar tragedy.”
The NRA and Wayne LaPierre had already come under fire from Newtown residents and teachers groups. The American Federation of Teachers called the suggestion “irresponsible and dangerous,” and the National Education Association said it was “shocking.”