The National Rifle Association issued a statement Friday condemning the shootings in Dallas that killed five officers and wounded nine officers and civilians, expressing “deep anguish” over the incident.
“I want to express the deep anguish all of us feel for the heroic Dallas law enforcement officers who were killed and wounded, as well as to those who so bravely ran toward danger to defend the city and the people of Dallas,” NRA CEO and executive vice president Wayne LaPierre said in a statement. “With heavy hearts, NRA members honor their heroism and offer our deepest condolences to all of their families.”
Statement from the @NRA on last night’s #Dallas shootings: pic.twitter.com/XGXWaGFk12
— Austin Hunt (@AustinHunt) July 8, 2016
But missing from the NRA’s response was any reaction to the death of Philando Castile, a black man who was killed by police officers during a traffic stop in Minnesota, after he informed them he legally had a gun in his car.
The lack of response to Castile’s death is perplexing, given that the NRA staunchly defends Americans’ right to lawfully own and carry firearms.
The group has even helped defeat gun control legislation in the wake of the Orlando shootings that would prevent suspected terrorists on the FBI’s “no-fly” list from purchasing guns.
Rep. Cedric Richmond, a black lawmaker from Louisiana, laced into the NRA for their lack of comment on Castile’s death, according to CNN.
Rep Richmond, a gun owner, rips NRA: “their 2nd Amendment concern is void of concern for African Americans”, says they can’t get a pass
— Deirdre Walsh (@deirdrewalshcnn) July 8, 2016
And many on Twitter questioned why the NRA did not defend Castile or condemn the officer behind his death for killing a man who was in legal possession of a gun.
Have I missed the statement from the NRA today on Philando Castile? They should be riding hard for that man’s family.
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) July 7, 2016
Curious the NRA would release a statement on the Dallas ambush but not Alton Sterling or Philando Castile. Let’s just ponder that one.
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) July 8, 2016
Philando Castile was a legal gun owner. Where’s the statement for him @NRA!?! #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/0cA6l0J1dh
— Zachary Jones (@zackj94) July 8, 2016
Philando Castile was a legal gun owner. Where’s the statement for him @NRA!?! #BlackLivesMatter https://t.co/0cA6l0J1dh
— Zachary Jones (@zackj94) July 8, 2016
Hey @NRA, nice statmnt. Now where the hell is ur statement for #PhiladoCastile, a law-abiding, registered gun owner? https://t.co/ors3vCO0AU
— Michael Salerno (@MikeNJD) July 8, 2016
