Malloy: NRA’s LaPierre acts like a circus clown
(CNN) - Responding to criticism from the National Rifle Association over Connecticut's new gun laws, Gov. Dan Malloy argued the pro-gun group's executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, is simply blowing smoke.
"Wayne reminds me of the clowns at the circus - they get the most attention. That's what he's paid to do," Malloy said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."
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The Democratic governor on Thursday signed into law some of the nation's strictest gun regulations, following the state's devastating school shooting in December in Newtown, which left 20 children and six adults dead.
The new Connecticut laws include the addition of more than 100 weapons to the state’s list of banned assault weapons - including the semiautomatic Bushmaster rifle, one of the firearms used in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. The law also bans the sale of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition, as well as armor-piercing bullets. Buyers will need a certificate to buy ammunition.
It also requires background checks for all gun purchases.
LaPierre said this week that the only people who will follow the new regulations are law-abiding gun owners, not criminals.
"I think the problem with what Connecticut did is the criminals, the drug dealers, the people that are going to do horror and terror, they aren't going to cooperate," LaPierre said on Fox News. "I mean, all you're doing is making the lawbooks bigger for the law-abiding people."
Asked who will be most affected by the new laws, Malloy said they'll be "probably a little tougher on everybody."
"This guy is so out of whack, it's unbelievable," Malloy told CNN's chief political correspondent, Candy Crowley, referring to LaPierre.
Connecticut became the third state to pass tough measures since the December rampage in Newtown. New York and Colorado passed gun control legislation limiting magazine capacity, among other provisions.
Malloy pointed to the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans favor the idea of more background checks, a proposal found in legislation currently sitting before the U.S. Senate. The NRA, however, opposes that bill.
"I can't get on a plane, as the governor of the state of Connecticut, without somebody running a background check on me. Why should you be able to buy a gun? Or buy armor-piercing munitions? It doesn't make any sense. He doesn't make any sense," he said.
Another controversial measure in the Connecticut law is the requirement to register pre-existing magazines that hold more rounds than the new limit. Malloy said the registry was needed so that there are no new high-capacity magazines in Connecticut, and so law enforcement can tell the difference between the ones that already existed in the state and the new ones.
“If you bring a magazine that you purchased in another state into our state, it's illegal. Period,” he said.
The NRA last week released detailed recommendations for its proposal to train and arm adults to keep watch in schools as a way to protect kids from shooters. It also had proposals for mental health programs.
Asked if there was anything in the NRA plan that he agreed with, Malloy said "precious little," adding that schools need tougher protection barriers from intruders - but not necessarily armed guards.
"What this is about is the ability of the gun industry to sell as many guns to as many people as possible - even if they're deranged, mentally ill, a criminal background, they don't care. They want to sell guns," Malloy argued.
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the gun maker should pack up and move out of his state,, put all the worker on lay off, then watch this governor cry like a baby .
I am a liberal. I own 2 pistols. I do not belong to the NRA. I am not afraid of the gov't trying to take my weapons. I have excellent gun control. Nuff said.
Bust NRA guys... Very nasty guys. This nation needs Gun-Ban Laws.
Thanks, Governor !!! The NRA, Congress, the Supreme Court and the President think that the NRA is running the country. I am sorry that you will not be invitedtothe big house to have a beer on the lawn.
Both are correct to an extent, but wait tell they do this in every state.
If all must comply with a law before it is fit to be a law, why do we have laws against murder. People do it anyway, so why have a law? This is the NRA's "logic".
I cannot wait until CT's law is tossed by the courts.
Super Job Gov. Malloy...
Just like the Tobacco industry was slowly defanged, lets hope the NTA is defanged as well.
We shall overcome!!
More Governors should follow step with this one.
He is trying to protect our rights If that is what it takes
Don't make robbing a bank illegal, only the law abiding citizens will cooperate. Don't make murder illegal, only the law abiding citizens will cooperate. Don't make speeding illegal, only the law abiding citizens will cooperate. That seems to be the NRA stance.
Using NRA logic then why do we have laws against murder. Its just more laws on the books.
The NRA's issue with universal background checks is that it will be used to make a national gun registry. Wayne hasn't changed his mind. He supports universal background checks. He just does not support a national gun registry. The only way the NRA has to stop a universal gun registry is to stop universal background checks. Obama says he will not create this registry. Too bad we can't trust him because he is already changing his stance on other campaign promises.
Using NRA logic then why do we have laws against murder. Its just more laws on the books
Tell me again please about how criminals follow laws?
Harassing law abiding gunowners will not stop one crime by the unlawful crime perpetrators. Criminals will never undergo background checks or submit their names to register their guns. This whole knee-jerk movement is made to undermine the second admendment and disarm the American public.
Whatever one's sentiments concerning the NRA or LaPierre, Gov. Malloy's remark only contributes to the animosity, distrust, hostility, and anger separating the two sides of the debate. He could have said more politely that he disagrees with the NRA's position and with LaPierre's statements and still made his point. Instead, Gov. Malloy choose to disparage and insult his opponent, a tactic all too frequent in our national political forum these days. Name-calling does not promote dialogue, discussion, the resolution of differences. It leads, instead, to the partisan divide and antagonism crippling our national legislature. A majority of the public say they deplore this stalemate and want the offensive language and name-calling stopped. Unhappily, judging by the comments to this article, I'd say too many of those writing here only want to add to the insults.
Governor Malloy..................I swear, I could not have worded it better. Bless you for telling it like it really is.
Gov. Malloy, these new gun laws are much better than my last anti gun laws. These will work, I know I told you the last laws would work but really believe me these laws will work.
Want to know why? Cause now its double illegal to use use guns in a crime.
See it's double illegal. Criminals will have to listen now.
Liberal logic. Fail as usual.
Stop insulting clowns, Governor. They bring smiles. LaPierre brings death.
The mayor is the idiot. Say goodbye to the rest of your rights Connecticut. Glad I don't live there.
The fact that gun and ammo manufacturers can not keep shelves stocked and there is such a shortage that police departments are now having a problem getting ammo and guns shows me what side of the debate American citizens are on.
Finally a man with enough sense and logic to prove that guns are not needed. Responsibility counts, addiction to guns is wrong, NRA is just a puppet and it's leader is a "clown", guns are dangerous, nra is aterrorist organization,....and finalize the point. Thank you Governor. Thank you......thank you.
From the article:
Asked who will be most affected by the new laws, Malloy said they'll be "probably a little tougher on everybody."
This equals a "feel good" set of new laws that will do not one thing to deter crime.
the governor won't be laughing at the clown when his new laws are overturned at SCOTUS