Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) came out against the National Rifle Association's recommendation for armed officers in all schools in the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"While I certainly agree that more guns equals less crime and that private gun ownership prevents many shootings, I don’t agree that conservatives and libertarians should view government legislation, especially at the federal level, as the solution to violence," Paul wrote in a statement posted on his website. "Real change can happen only when we commit ourselves to rebuilding civil society in America, meaning a society based on family, religion, civic and social institutions, and peaceful cooperation through markets. We cannot reverse decades of moral and intellectual decline by snapping our fingers and passing laws."
The retiring libertarian lawmaker explained, "Let’s not forget that our own government policies often undermine civil society, cheapen life, and encourage immorality. The president and other government officials denounce school violence, yet still advocate for endless undeclared wars abroad and easy abortion at home. U.S. drone strikes kill thousands, but nobody in America holds vigils or devotes much news coverage to those victims, many of which are children, albeit, of a different color." He added, "Obviously I don’t want to conflate complex issues of foreign policy and war with the Sandy Hook shooting, but it is important to make the broader point that our federal government has zero moral authority to legislate against violence."
Paul also slammed the response to the shooting from the "political left," saying he found "emotional calls for increased gun control" to be "misguided."
During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Wayne LaPierre, head of the NRA, stood by the idea of armed guards in schools.
"If it's crazy to call for armed officers in our schools to protect our children, then call me crazy," he said. "I think the American people think it's crazy not to do it. It's the one thing that would keep people safe."
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