Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

NRA chief: Let's be honest about what works

Details

  • Description

    Wayne LaPierre addresses Senate hearing on gun violence

  • Duration 6:02
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Latest Politics

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Thank you mr.

committee.

It's not a big -- on behalf of the more than four point five million mom and dad sons and daughters.

At that point -- Thank you -- chairman.

It's not a -- today on behalf of the more than four point five million moms and dads sons and daughters in every state across -- our nation.

Who make up the national rifle association of America.

There are four point five million active members of the NRA and they are joined by tens of millions of supporters throughout the country.

It's on behalf of those millions of decent hard working law abiding citizens.

-- I'm here today to give voice to their concerns.

The title of today's hearings it is what should America do about gun violence.

We believe the answer -- that question -- to be honest about what works and honest about what doesn't work.

Teaching safe and responsible gun ownership works and the NRA has a long and proud history of doing exactly that.

-- -- -- child safety program it's taught 25 million young children.

If they see it done nation -- for things stop don't touch it leave the area and -- -- adult.

As a result of this and other private sector programs.

Fail firearms accidents -- the lowest level in a hundred years.

The NRA has over 80000 certified instructors who teach our military personnel law enforcement officers.

And hundreds of thousands of other American men and women how to safely use firearms.

We do more and spend more than anyone else on teaching safe and responsible gun ownership.

We join the nation and sorrow over the tragedy that occurred in Newtown Connecticut.

There's nothing more precious and our children.

And we have no more sacred duty and to protect our children.

And to keep them safe.

That's why we asked former congressman under secretary of Homeland Security -- Hutchinson.

To bring in every available expert to develop all models schools shield program.

One that can be individually tailored to make our schools as safe as possible.

It's time to -- an immediate blanket of security around our children.

About a third of our schools right now -- armed security already because it works.

And that number is growing every day.

Right now state officials local authorities and school districts in fifty states are considering their own plans to protect children in schools.

In addition we UN need to enforce.

The thousands of gun laws are -- on the books.

Prosecuting criminals who misuse firearms works.

Unfortunately.

We've seen a dramatic collapse in federal gun prosecutions in recent years.

Overall in 2011.

Federal.

Firearms prosecutions per capita were down 35%.

From their peak in the previous administration.

That means violent felons violent gang members and drug dealers with -- and the mentally ill possess firearms.

Are not being prosecuted.

And that is completely and totally unacceptable.

-- out of more than 76000.

Firearms purchases supposedly denied by the federal instant check system.

Only 62 -- were referred for prosecution.

And only 44.

Were actually prosecuted.

Proposing more gun laws while failing to enforce that thousands -- party and it's not a serious solution for reducing crime.

I think we can also agree that our mental health system is broken.

We need to look at -- full range of mental health issues from early detection to treatment to civil commitment laws the privacy laws.

It needlessly prevent mental health records from being included in the national instant check system.

While we're ready to participate in a -- effort to sublease pressing problems we -- respectively.

But honestly in firmly disagree with some members of the committee and many in the media.

And all the gun control groups on what will keep markets and keep our streets say.

Law abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violence -- deranged criminals.

Nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully -- -- used protect our families.

As I said earlier we need to be honest about what works and what does not work.

Proposals that would only serve -- cardinal law abiding if failed in the past and they'll fail again in the future.

Semiautomatic firearm technology's been around for a hundred years there the most popular guns for hunting target -- self defense.

Despite this back congress banned the manufacture and sale of hundreds of semi automatic firearms in magazines from 94 to 2000 war.

Independent studies.

Including one in the Clinton Justice Department -- that it had no impact that lowering crime.

When it comes to background checks let's be honest background checks will never be universal.

Because criminals.

Never submit to them.

A lot of things that can be done and we -- -- -- join with us the NRA is made up -- millions of Americans -- support what works.

The immediate protection for all not to some of our school children is what's needed and swift certain punishment of criminals.

Who misuse guns and fixing our mental health system.

We love our families we love our country we believe in freedom.

And where the millions from all walks of life who take responsibility for our safety and protection.

As a god given fundamental American right.

Thank you mr.

--

Load More