In an emotional press conference on Friday, members of Congress’ Congressional Black Caucus talked about the need for action following the police shootings this week of two African-American young men in Baton Rouge and Falcon Heights, as well as the shooting of a dozen police officers Thursday night in Dallas. The lawmakers vowed to continue pushing for votes on gun control legislation, and slammed Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan for blocking the debate on several bills.
Some lawmakers also aimed sharp criticism as the National Rifle Association, the nation’s premiere pro-gun lobby group, for issuing a formal statement of condolence for the Dallas police officers killed this week but not for the two black gun owners killed by police in Minnesota and Louisiana.
Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), himself a gun owner, gave a passionate speech accusing the NRA of not carrying about the welfare of black people.
“The hypocrisy there is so blatant,” he said. “I always thought the NRA was not concerned about me. And I hunt and I fish and I own a gun. But the last few days have clarified it for me — that their Second Amendment concern is not a voice of concern for African Americans. And I just believe that we cannot give them a pass on not making a comment.”
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On Friday morning, the CEO of the NRA released a statement noting his members’ “deep anguish” for the police officers killed in Dallas. “With heavy hearts,” it read, “NRA members honor their heroism and offer our deepest condolences to all of their families.”
The group made no formal statements about the death of Alton Sterling or Philando Castile, though they admitted on their web show that the killings did not “look good.” John Cardillo, a former NYPD officer and host of NRA News, added that “we have a serious, serious problem in this country” if black Americans’ Second Amendment rights are not respected by police.
Richmond noted Friday that Castile had a legal license to carry a concealed weapon in Minnesota, a right the NRA vigorously defends. He and his girlfriend tried to tell the officer who pulled them over that he was legally carrying a firearm before he was fatally shot.
“How do you advocate for that and then you watch the result of it, with a young black man who says, ‘I have a permit,’” asked Richmond. “And you sit by quietly?”
“I just believe that we cannot give them a pass on not making a comment,” he added.
The NRA did not respond to ThinkProgress’ request for an interview.