The National Rifle Association has broken its silence in the wake of last week's deadly shootings in Newtown, Conn., saying in a statement that it "is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again," and that it plans to hold a "major news conference in Washington D.C. Friday.
In a news release sent Tuesday afternoon, the NRA said:
The National Rifle Association of America is made up of four million moms and dads, sons and daughters - and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown.Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting.The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.The NRA is planning to hold a major news conference in the Washington, DC area on Friday, December 21.Details will be released to the media at the appropriate time.
Since the Newtown shootings Friday, the NRA's social media presence, normally lively, has gone dark. With the exception of remarks by hosts on its online TV channel, the group had not commented publicly on the incident.
The shootings have sparked a national conversation on gun violence, with even some pro-gun Democratic lawmakers calling for stricter gun control. Few Republicans, however, have followed suit.