Democrats condemn NRA proposal for armed guards in schools

By Alicia M. Cohn - 12/21/12 01:13 PM ET

Democrats in Congress were quick on Friday to condemn the National Rifle Association (NRA) for proposing armed guards in every school.

On Twitter, Democrats were "shocked" and "outraged" by the "farce" and "disgrace" of the NRA's press conference on Friday, the pro-gun organization's first detailed response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., one week ago.

Several Democrats, including Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), said that asking the federal government to mandate a program that puts armed guards in schools should not earn support from limited-government conservatives in the other party.

Republicans did not rush to Twitter with thoughts on the NRA's proposal.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said at Friday's event. "I call on Congress, today, to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every single school in this nation."

The press conference was a push by the group to shift focus from gun control to violent video games and mental healthcare programs. The NRA said it would be offering free resources and training through their newly launched "National School Shield" program.

Twenty-six people, including 20 children, were murdered by Adam Lanza last Friday. The shooter also killed his mother and himself.

Democrats have renewed their push for gun control measures in the wake of the shooting, and President Obama has requested specific legislation by January.

Several Democrats said the NRA had broken with reality in their announcement on Friday. Connecticut's Sen.-elect Chris Murphy (D) tweeted that he was attending a Newtown funeral during the NRA announcement, and called it "revolting."

Walking out of another funeral and was handed the NRA transcript. The most revolting, tone deaf statement I've ever seen.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 21, 2012

I am shocked by #NRA Wayne La Pierre’s careless, arrogant remarks on #SandyHook tragedy.Guns have no place in our schools, period.
— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) December 21, 2012

NRA press conf. appalling in its insensitivity to #Newtown parents & families & every parent in America clutching our hearts the past week.
— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) December 21, 2012

NRA's Lapierre doubles down. Says schools need more guns. A right wing fanatic whose worldview is distorted beyond words. #Newtown
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) December 21, 2012

#NRA leadership's drive to fill our schools w/ more deadly guns & ammo is wildly out of touch w/ responsible gun owners & American public.
— Frank R. Lautenberg (@FrankLautenberg) December 21, 2012

NRA promised "meaningful contributions" to the debate on gun violence.Instead they offer more guns, more violence.Outrageous.
— Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) December 21, 2012

.@nra’s position: More #guns, esp. in schools. Outlaw rap music, hurricanes & Mortal Kombat. #Newtown deserves thoughtful reform, not farce.
— Rep. Mike Honda (@RepMikeHonda) December 21, 2012

#NRA: missed opportunity. The children of #Newtown deserved better.
— Rep. Diana DeGette (@RepDianaDeGette) December 21, 2012

Where is their "meaningful contribution?" They want absurd domestic spending increase w/o new ideas to take guns away from bad guys #NRA
— Congressman Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) December 21, 2012

#NRA message today: "Only solution to gun violence will always be more guns & no one else understands the issue." What a disgrace.
— Jim Langevin (@jimlangevin) December 21, 2012

#NRApresser shocking disconnect with reality. Shame on #NRA for insensitivity to #Newtown victims & suggesting we need more guns in schools.
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) December 21, 2012

Outraged by NRA speech today. Militarizing our schools? More guns? They are incapable of being part of the solution.
— Tim Bishop (@TimBishopNY) December 21, 2012

Conservatives preach no federal govt and local control of schools until the NRA wants the federal government to mandate guns in schools?
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) December 21, 2012

What the #NRA proposed is disgracefully out-of-touch w/ the common-sense reforms mainstream America (inc. sensible gun owners) demand.
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) December 21, 2012

Farcical NRA press conf only strengthens need for Congress and American people to stand up to the gun lobby and press for #guncontrol now.
— Rep. John Tierney (@RepTierney) December 21, 2012