Gun lobby chief challenges Obama to televised debate | Inquirer News

Gun lobby chief challenges Obama to televised debate

/ 11:35 AM January 15, 2016

Barack Obama

President Barack Obama speaks at a town hall styled event at McKinley Senior High School in Baton Rouge, La., Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. AP Photo

NEW YORK, United States—The head of the powerful US gun lobby, Wayne LaPierre, challenged President Barack Obama on Thursday to an hour-long televised debate on gun control.

READ: Obama makes the case for tighter gun rules
LaPierre threw down the gauntlet in a video posted on the National Rifle Association website, a week after the lobbying group rebuffed Obama’s invitation to debate the issues during a CNN town hall-style meeting January 7.

Article continues after this advertisement

In the video, LaPierre scornfully dismissed the president’s original offer before laying down his own debate challenge.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Obama’s move on guns may have only modest effect on violence

“The president’s calculation is clear: destroy the NRA before the election so Hillary (Clinton) can destroy the second amendment after it. That’s why we won’t get suckered into any of Obama’s fixed fights,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“But I’ll tell you what: I’ll meet you for a one-on-one one hour debate with a mutually agreed upon moderator on any network that will take it,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“No pre-screened questions and no gas bag answers. Americans will judge for themselves who they trust and believe on this issue: you or the NRA. Let’s see if you’re game for a fair debate.”

Article continues after this advertisement

In the video, LaPierre harshly attacks Obama and his record, and vows that the NRA will fight measures the president announced last week that tighten rules on gun sales.

“We know that the president would ban every gun and bullet in America and effectively turn us into Australia,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“And we know if HC is elected she will make sure that happens,” he said, referring to Clinton, who is leading the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

He said if Obama “really wanted to make America safer, he’d pick up the phone and tell his Justice Department to flip Chicago upside down until every criminal with a gun, criminal gangbanger with a gun and drug dealer with a gun is arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned to the fullest extent of the law.

“That would make a difference, that would save lives. But he’s had seven long years to issue that order and he has failed and that is why Americans don’t trust the president,” he said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

In an exchange with the public on Twitter, Obama did not respond to several questions asking whether he would accept LaPierre’s challenge.

TAGS: Barack Obama, NRA, Politics, weapons

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.