By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Perennial political candidate—he’s running for Texas governor this time—Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke tried to crash a press conference Wednesday featuring Gov. Greg Abbott, in an attempt to exploit the deadly Uvalde school shooting, and instead was escorted out of the building.
But not before Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin shouted “you’re a sick son-of-a-bitch.”
It was the latest attempt at grandstanding against guns by Democrat politicians trying to capitalize on the enormous media attention generated by the horrible attack that left 19 youngsters and two female teachers dead in a classroom.
Tuesday evening, Joe Biden went on national television to declare, “As a nation, we have to ask: When in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby? When in God’s name will we do what we all know in our gut needs to be done?”
As noted by Ammoland, Biden invoked God’s name seven times during his 25-minute address. He said he had spent his entire “career as a senator and as Vice President working to pass ‘commonsense’ gun laws,” which, in the firearms community, means more gun restrictions.
But in a joint statement from the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, the national gun groups issued a challenge to Biden.
“Instead of demonizing gun owners and the firearms industry, bring them to the table and benefit from their knowledge. Together we can succeed where the gun prohibition agenda has disastrously and repeatedly failed.”
It was a slap at the gun prohibition lobby as well as congressional anti-gunners. Here is the full statement:
“Legitimate, law-abiding American gun owners are today as outraged and saddened as everyone else by the horrible acts of a crazed murderer in Uvalde, Texas. The Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms join our fellow citizens to grieve the unimaginable loss suffered by the Uvalde community and the citizens of Texas.
“The past 24 hours have allowed us to learn far more about the killer and the circumstances surrounding his deplorable act of violence. Unlike anti-gun-rights politicians including Joe Biden, who quickly exploited this horror to push an agenda aimed at diminishing the Second Amendment and shifting blame to millions of gun owners, we waited for more information.
“If there is blame beyond that of the killer, it must be shared by political leaders whose policies have turned our public schools into soft targets, and by self-appointed activists and school boards that have resisted school resource officer programs, opposed and prohibited programs that train teachers and staff to provide armed first response in an emergency, while perpetuating dangerous “Gun Free School Zone” laws.
“President Biden demanded “commonsense gun laws.” We believe it is time for common sense, period. We spend billions of dollars on foreign aid. We can provide millions of dollars to local law enforcement agencies for school resource officers. We protect our politicians with armed security. Let’s protect our schools to the same degree.
“Let’s take advantage of a great resource: our retired military and law enforcement professionals. They protected our nation and our communities. They can easily protect our school children.
“Instead of demonizing gun owners and the firearms industry, bring them to the table and benefit from their knowledge. Together we can succeed where the gun prohibition agenda has disastrously and repeatedly failed.”
At the same time, the National Rifle Association—which is gathering in Houston this weekend for their 151st annual meetings and exhibits, and is likely to be targeted by emotional protesters—also issued a statement.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the families and victims involved in this horrific and evil crime. On behalf of our members, we salute the courage of school officials, first responders and others who offered their support and services.
“Although an investigation is underway and facts are still emerging, we recognize this was the act of a lone, deranged criminal. As we gather in Houston, we will reflect on these events, pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure.”
