Gun activist uses irresponsible fear-mongering to defend his dangerous gun ideas
Washington, D.C. – February 18, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (NY-14) sent a letter to Wayne LaPierre, CEO and Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association (NRA), inviting him to come to New York City and reconsider his misconceptions about New Yorkers. LaPierre recently published an opinion piece in the Daily Caller describing New York City after Hurricane Sandy as a “hellish world” of lawlessness, using it to argue against reasonable gun policies.
“Instead of the productive dialogue that the American people want to see on solutions to prevent gun violence, Mr. LaPierre delivered a bizarre manifesto that insults the people of New York City just as they are rebuilding from a tragic natural disaster,” said Rep. Crowley.
In the letter, Crowley offers to show LaPierre the communities affected by the storm and their rebuilding efforts, as well as invites him to visit with New York police officers and health care professionals that are on the front lines against gun violence every day.
“Far from the post-apocalyptic wasteland that you describe, what I saw in my hometown after one of the most devastating natural disasters was New Yorkers coming together and helping one another, just as we’ve always done after a crisis,” writes Crowley in the letter.
Crowley also expressed concern with LaPierre’s belief that greater numbers of guns on the streets is a solution that will protect our children and reduce deaths from gun violence. On the contrary, police chiefs across the nation, who are responsible for keeping our communities safe, have expressed support for common-sense gun policies like those proposed by President Obama.
“While the concern you expressed for New Yorkers’ well-being is touching, I assure you that what we need in the aftermath of Sandy is not more guns and fewer safety measures. And what we need is not to have the hard work of our police officers disparaged by those who think citizens should take the law into their own hands,” continues the letter.
The full text of the letter to Mr. Wayne LaPierre, CEO and Executive Vice President, National Rifle Association of America is below:
February 15, 2013
Mr. Wayne LaPierre
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President
National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
Dear Mr. LaPierre,
I noted with interest your recent opinion piece in the Daily Caller, particularly your depiction of New York City as a “hellish world” after Hurricane Sandy. Far from the post-apocalyptic wasteland that you describe, what I saw in my hometown after one of the most devastating natural disasters was New Yorkers coming together and helping one another, just as we’ve always done after a crisis.
While the concern you expressed for New Yorkers’ well-being is touching, I assure you that what we need in the aftermath of Sandy is not more guns and fewer safety measures. And what we need is not to have the hard work of our police officers disparaged by those who think citizens should take the law into their own hands. I know the City of New York would like to rectify your misperceptions about our community, which is why I would like to invite you to come to New York with me and visit the families and communities that are still struggling to rebuild, and see first-hand what New York City really looks like.
If you accept this invitation, we can sit down with some of New York’s finest – dedicated law enforcement officers who are waging a crucial battle against gun violence, and would disagree with your contention that they are unnecessary or ineffective. We can visit New York’s emergency rooms, where the effects of gun violence are seen far too often in children and teenagers brought in with life-threatening gunshot wounds.
After you speak to our first responders, doctors and nurses who are truly “Standing and Fighting,” I am confident you will reconsider your dangerous rhetoric and misguided ideas about what New York City and America really are like. Thank you and I look forward to your visit.
Sincerely,
Joseph Crowley
Member of Congress
Congressman Crowley is the eight-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.
