New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Credit: Getty Images
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is self-admittedly no fan of guns or the National Rifle Association. But the mayor went a step farther in an interview with ABC's "Nightline" on Wednesday night, saying it is because of some of the NRA's actions that the Newtown, Conn. mass shooting occurred.
"We're not trying to take away your right to advance the interests of gun owners, hunters, people who want to protect themselves," Bloomberg said. "But that's not an absolute right to encourage behavior which causes things like Connecticut. In fact, Connecticut is because of some of their actions."
Last week, Adam Lanza killed his mother before driving to Sandy Hook Elementary School and killing 20 children and six adults before he committed suicide. Almost immediately following the tragedy, Bloomberg was calling for stricter gun laws.
The New York mayor, who co-founded the Mayors Against Illegal Guns group, has called on President Barack Obama to support strong gun control legislation. Bloomberg must have been pleased when Obama appointed Vice President Joe Biden to lead a gun-violence task force.
In the "Nightline" interview, Bloomberg slammed Obama for moving "in the wrong direction" on guns. He criticized the president for passing two bills that permitted Americans to carry guns in National Parks "where our kids play" and on Amtrak trains.
Out of respect for the victims, the NRA remained silent until Wednesday, when it announced that the group was "prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again." The organization also announced that it will hold a press conference on Friday morning.
(H/T: HuffPo)
Featured image via AP
