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Friday, Dec 21, 2012 6:17 PM UTC

Newtown Congressman calls NRA statement “revolting”

Chris Murphy and other politicians have decried Wayne LaPierre's speech

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Topics: Chris Murphy, Newtown school shooting, NRA, Wayne LaPierre, Connecticut shooting,

Newtown Congressman calls NRA statement (Credit: AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

In a tweet, Rep. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., whose district encompasses Newtown, called NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre’s press conference ”revolting” and “tone deaf.”

Other politicians reacted similarly to LaPierre’s speech, which called for “armed police officers in every single school in this nation.”

“It is beyond belief that following the Newtown tragedy, the National Rifle Association’s leaders want to fill our communities with guns and arm more Americans, said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., in a statement.”The NRA points the finger of blame everywhere and anywhere it can, but they cannot escape the devastating effects of their reckless comments and irresponsible lobbying tactics.”

Captain Mark Kelley, the husband of Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head in a shooting in Tuscon, Ariz., posted a statement on his Facebook page:

“Gabby and I are extremely disappointed by the NRA’s defiant and delayed response to the massacre of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The NRA could have chosen to be a voice for the vast majority of its own members who want common sense, reasonable safeguards on deadly firearms, but instead it chose to defend extreme pro-gun positions that aren’t even popular among the law abiding gun owners it represents.”

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Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com. More Jillian Rayfield.

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