NRA apologizes to pro-gun extremists for calling them “scary” and “weird”

After chiding open-carry activists for being overly aggressive, the NRA swiftly backs down and takes it back

Published June 4, 2014 1:05PM (EDT)

  (AP/ Evan Vucci)
(AP/ Evan Vucci)

Well, that didn't take long. After momentarily flashing some measure of sanity and independence by asking open-carry activists not to congregate at Chipotle and other fast food restaurants, the NRA has apologized for saying that walking around in public with an assault rifle slung over your shoulder is, to many people, "scary" and "weird."

Appearing on NRA radio, Chris Cox, NRA spokesman, described the whole incident as "a distraction" and a "mistake."

"There was some confusion," Cox explained, "we apologize, again, for any confusion that that post caused." Cox went on to say that the initial statement "shouldn't have happened" and described it as the "personal opinion" of its author. "Our job is not to criticize the lawful behavior of fellow gun owners," Cox added.

The powerful gun lobby's reversal can only be seen as a victory for Open Carry Texas, an pro-gun extremist organization that is organizing some of the public congregations of men with guns designed expressly to kill human beings quickly and in great numbers.

"If they do not retract their disgusting and disrespectful comments, OCT will have no choice but to withdraw its full support of the NRA and establish relationships with other gun rights organizations that fight for ALL gun rights, instead of just paying them lip service the way the NRA appears to be doing," the group wrote on its Facebook page in response to the NRA's initial, critical statement.

Evidently, the NRA saw this as a serious threat to its legitimacy. No longer.


By Elias Isquith

Elias Isquith is a former Salon staff writer.

MORE FROM Elias Isquith


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Chipotle Gun Control Gun Rights Gun Safety National Rifle Association Nra Open Carry Second Amendment