“They’re trying to use the race card to move against guns"

Larry Pratt, the executive director of Gun Owners for America, dismissed outrage over the Trayvon Martin shooting

Published July 19, 2013 5:35PM (EDT)

 Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America    (Wikipedia/Gage Skidmore)
Larry Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America (Wikipedia/Gage Skidmore)

Larry Pratt, the executive director of Gun Owners for America, linked the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi to the shooting of Trayvon Martin, arguing that both are examples of the push for gun control.

“They’re trying to use the race card to move against guns,” Pratt said, speaking on Steve Malzberg's radio show about the outrage over the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. “They really don’t want us walking around with a gun, able to defend ourselves.”

It doesn't matter whether it's in the U.S. or somewhere like Benghazi, Pratt continued, where “they withdrew armed guards protecting the diplomats in that town shortly before it was attacked.” They "just think being able to defend yourself is counter-productive."

Gun Owners for America is known for being the NRA's even more hardline gun lobby cousin, with Pratt previously saying that gun owners need to be prepared “to take on our government,” and warning that Obamacare is secretly masquerading as gun confiscation.

However, since the Zimmerman verdict the NRA has been doing its part, accusing Attorney General Eric Holder of politicizing Trayvon Martin's death in order to push for gun control, because Holder had called for a review of "Stand Your Ground" laws. "Self-defense is not a concept, it’s a fundamental human right,” said NRA executive director Chris Cox.

Watch, via Right Wing Watch:


By Jillian Rayfield

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.

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Benghazi Gun Control Gun Owners Of America Larry Pratt Racism Trayvon Martin Video