WASHINGTON DC - At a press conference Friday, the National Rifle Association announced the formation of national program to place armed security in every school. The program, National School Shield Safety Program, will provide training that will be funded by the NRA and led by former US Congressman Asa Hutchinson.
The new effort is in response to growing criticism of the NRA and law-abiding gun owners in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy last Friday, LaPierre said.
LaPierre refuted the Democrats' proposal to ban assault weapons and effort to create a national data base of mental health patients, he said. All the while, the media refuses to acknowledge the impact of violent interactive video games, slasher horror movies and music videos.
"There's even a video game called Kindergarten Killers, which has been online for nearly 10 years," LaPierre said. "Why is my staff able to find these games, and the media doesn't cover them?"
LaPierre said the NRA's position is that children should be protected in their schools by trained, armed guards, an army made up of retired police officers, military reservists and other security personnel, and the effort should begin immediately.
The protection should be in place when the children return from the holiday break, he said.
It was not explained how the program could be enacted when currently, every school is considered in federal law a "gun-free zone" wherein concealed weapons or any other artillery are not allowed within 1000 feet.
Congressman Hutchinson closed the press conference by sharing his concern about the nation's children, briefly explained the effort and its need, and offered the NRA's program to schools requesting their assistance.
LaPierre's comments are to be available at NRA.org.
