NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre attempted to turn the tables Friday on those in the media and government who have recently characterized the gun lobbyist's talking points as "crazy." In a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, LaPierre accused the federal government, the Department of Homeland Security, so-called "Washington elites" and Vice President Joe Biden of offering illogical solutions to the challenges of gun violence.
Entering the stage to a standing ovation and showing a video montage of his opponents' attacks, LaPierre delivered a fiery rebuttal that garnered a half-dozen standing ovations from the staunchly conservative, and generally young, crowd at CPAC.
Gun control advocates "insult [us], they denigrate, and they call us 'crazy' for holding fast to [our opposition to gun control]. In their distorted view of the world, they're smarter than we are; they're special; they're more worthy than we are; they know better than we do," he said. "The liberal media can keep hating on me, but I'm still standing."
Much of LaPierre's speech covered familiar territory in the ongoing debate over gun violence, such as the argument that universal background checks on gun purchases will not work because criminals will evade them.
But LaPierre also launched attacks working off more recent news, such as Chinese Internet hackers and the across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration.
"What's the point of registering lawful gun owners?" LaPierre asked the crowd, jumping to the false conclusion that universal background checks will be used to create a federal registry of gun owners. "So newspapers can print those names … so the list can be hacked by foreign entities like the Chinese?"
He also seized on the effects of sequestration. "Instead of rational belt-tightening ... the first thing the government does is let criminal illegals out of jail," said LaPierre, referring to the February release of undocumented immigrants facing deportation by the Department of Homeland Security. "It's as if insanity itself has been sequestered in Washington."
In addition to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, LaPierre directly addressed Vice President Biden, and in particular, Biden's recent suggestion that a shotgun would make a more effective weapon for personal defense than a military-style rifle like the one used in the Newtown, Conn., massacre. Democrats support an assault weapons ban that would cover the latter guns.
"Have they lost their minds over at the White House?" LaPierre asked mockingly. "You keep your advice, we'll keep our guns."
Below, a liveblog of the latest updates from CPAC:
Orly Taitz, commonly known as the "Birther Queen," was rebuked by blogger Pamela Geller during a Saturday panel on Islam and national security at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker took the stage Saturday at CPAC, praising the assemblage for its support during the fraught Wisconsin recall fight, which Walker won, allowing him to stay in power. His speech was themed around the idea that the states are the laboratories of policy -- "Real reform does not happen in Washington, it happens in the statehouses throughout this country," he said -- and that he, in particular, was leading the way to end "government dependency."
If future GOP presidential runs depend on silver-tongues articulation of dorm-room "makers vs. takers" arguments, then Walker's future is pretty bright.
@ jonward11 :
in first #CPAC speech, Artur Davis tries to win over activists who might be skeptical of him, & sets up critique of party, by bashing media
@ samsteinhp :
Dr Carson is a grt, thought provoking speaker but i don't get this line: "Nobody's starving on the streets, we've always taken care of them"
@ AaronBlakeWP :
Bachmann on two full-time projectionists in White House: “I don’t mean to be petty here, but can’t they just push the play button.” #CPAC
@ ACUConservative :
@TeamBachmann on what Obama should say to UN: "The future does not belong to the low-life murderers who kill innocent Americans." #CPAC2013
On Feb. 21, 2013, <a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">The American Conservative Union</a> released its 2012 conservative ratings guide. Which members of Congress had a perfect score?
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah)
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
(Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
(SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.)
(MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.)
(Photo By Douglas Graham/Roll Call/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.)
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/31/dan-burton-retirement-indiana-gop_n_1244141.html">Editor's note:</a> Burton retired from Congress in January 2012</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/jeff-flake-election-results-2012_n_2049514.html">Editor's note:</a> Flake became a U.S. senator in Jan. 2013</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. John Fleming (R-La.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.)
(Photo by Chris Maddaloni/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Wally Herger (R-Calif.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/Roll Call)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/10/wally-harger-retirement-california-republican_n_1197156.html">Editor's note:</a> Herger retired from Congress in January 2012.</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.)
(Photo by Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Jeff Landry (R-La.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/09/charles-boustany-wins_n_2267276.html">Editor's note:</a> Landry was defeated by fellow Republican Charles Boustany in Dec. 2012's special election.</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas)
(Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call via Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/29/david-schweikert_n_1838371.html">Editor's note:</a> Quayle was defeated by David Schweikert in the Republican primary for Arizona's 6th congressional district.</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.)
(Photo by Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.)
(Photo by Bill Clark/Getty Images)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/17/tim-scott-senate_n_2315830.html">Editor's note:</a> Scott was appointed U.S. Senator by S.C. Gov Nikki Haley in Dec. 2012, taking the seat of Jim DeMint.</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<em><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/cliff-stearns-planned-parenthood-reelection_n_1777602.html">Editor's Note:</a> Stearns lost the Aug. 2012 GOP primary to retain his House seat.</em>
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.)
(Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)
(Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.)
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
<a href="http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1174985/8b2d5dc5f6/ARCHIVE">Source: American Conservative Union 2012 Rankings </a>
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre attempted to turn the tables Friday on those in the media and government who have recently characterized the gun lobbyist's talkin...
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre attempted to turn the tables Friday on those in the media and government who have recently characterized the gun lobbyist's talkin...
Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association, addressed the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, touching on the effects of sequestration in a...
Those several people that were placed in the coffins and marked as victims to gun violence wished they were still standing, they wanted to succeed in the rest of their lives and were never given that chance? I bet those relatives that lost those right to live humans wish those sons and daughters were still standing for family gatherings and those special events they will never attend. This all because a few
Read More... humans believe in fear to turn to a gun lobbyist for security they don't even need, why in this country of freedom do Americans have to feel such fear and paranoid idea's and excuses to arm themselves, are we truly that threatened to risk shooting a family member or yourself? Do we not need more law enforcement to challenge the criminals and not put ourselves in harms way? When do the American people cry out for their right to live?
den1953: Those several people that were placed in the coffins and
Walmart already has him and gun nuts in their database so when the Chinese actually do come in, they can pry away the cheaply purchased guns and ammo from their hands, and stop supply of toilet paper, frozen foods, and stuffed toys, to drive them insane.
Shourin_Roy: Walmart already has him and gun nuts in their database
On e day Wayne LaPierre might shoot himself in his big toe and blame the gun. Complete reversal from their guns don't shoot people, people shoot guns. Yeah, okay. ((((sarcasm))))
panamarine: On e day Wayne LaPierre might shoot himself in his
Let me get this NRA preaching of self defense to own guns. Yesterday in Bucks County, Pennsylvania a guy walks in to Dick's Sporting Goods, points a gun at the store associate in Lodge and demands firearms and ammunition. Alarm goes off, LE arrive and track the man who then walks towards bathroom. The store is cleared as well as other stores around in the shopping center. With no contact with the person, did the army of LE who were heavily armed go out and confront the man?
No, they feared for their own lives. What did they do? Send a robot with a built in camera and K9 looking for the armed man. Finally the robot found him dead in the bathroom, apparent suicide.
Now according to the NRA, moms, grand mothers and teachers should be armed with guns to confront and possibly kill armed thugs who may trespass in to their homes, schools.
If a dozen or so LE heavily armed could not confront the armed man face to face and get him, does any reasonable person expect a mom, grand mother or a teacher to do it?
JimInHouston: http://www.wcyb.com/news/86-year-old-woman-grabs-gun-in-self-defense/-/14590844/18404728/-/9fdio6z/-/index.html http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Burglary-suspect-shot-by-15-year-old-son-of-deputy-97430719.html http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/12/tim-mcnabb/the-myth-of-the-confused-first-responder/ Do you like making a fool of
That's the point that you can't get into these gun nuts' heads.
Go back to thinking that one armed guard with a .38 revolver can stop a crazed shooter with 15 round ammunition clips and assault weapons and bullet proof vests and who knows what else---and determination, coupled with firearms expertise.
What are the odds in favor of the lone armed school guard?
panamarine: That's the point that you can't get into these gun
Moderator: Please re-post comment wrongly deleted by perhaps a biased censor. Thank you.
Scrappysmith Commented 17 hours ago
"The fact is these decisions are very young in the Life of the
Constitution & will be challenged! The prevalling view for many
many decades was that personal firearms ownership rights where
a joke till these decisions. The GOP & Repub Speaker of the
House have promised to overturn Roe vs Wade this term & soon
someone could take a shot at DC vs Heller, McDonald vs Chicago
& any others bestowing this Right as well. Dreamweavers pointed
out that previous a Cheif Justices decried the redefining of
the 2nd Amendment by NRA paid for Law Reviews long before these
SCOTUS decisions."
DreamWeaver2nd: Moderator: Please re-post comment wrongly deleted by perhaps a biased
"LaPierre delivered a fiery rebuttal that garnered a half-dozen standing ovations from the staunchly conservative, and generally young, crowd at CPAC."
Okay. That's scary.
dmoongo: "LaPierre delivered a fiery rebuttal that garnered a half-dozen standing
So, using your vast knowledge and expertise, please illustrate the needs of a 90 pound woman, a 90 year old man w/rheumatoid arthritis, or a pregnant 34 year old woman. Or, absent such, I'm happy if you admit you're an ignorant fool!
Semper fi
Berettasskeeter: So, using your vast knowledge and expertise, please illustrate the
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Posted: 03/15/2013 11:44 am EDT | Updated: 03/15/2013 2:44 pm EDT