NRA Responds To Dallas Police Sniper Shootings, But Completely Ignores Philando Castile

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."

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.

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.

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