Sorry, Wayne LaPierre — The Answer to Our Gun Violence Problem Isn't More Guns

NRA spokesman Wayne LaPierre made news again after his recent appearance on NBC's Meet The Press when he discussed the recent shooting at the Washington Navy Yard. Parroting previous talking points, LaPierre called for more weaponry on hand at the location of the tragedy, and criticized the country's health system. What's striking about this television appearance, and every other one of his for that matter, is the NRA's steadfast refusal to acknowledge their product's culpability. 

LaPierre's call for more guns in military units is unsurprising. After all, the more guns the military buys, the better is it for the NRA and it's corporate masters like Remington and Bushmaster. LaPierre's call for increased arms as a solution for gun violence demonstrates a glaring conflict-of-interest. That this has not been brought up yet is shameful.

Interestingly, LaPierre's call to revamp of the country's mental health system has merit. After all, economic austerity has plagued the country, and states have scaled back on mental health spending. A larger, more effective campaign to address mental health is an initiative even gun-control advocates can get behind.

However, the call for an improved mental health system coupled with more armament is nothing more than a sleight of hand. The NRA's "remedies" for curbing gun violence are similar to the cheesy yet effective Chick Fil-A advertising campaigns starring cows pushing people to eat more chicken. Of course, the NRA does not like tragedies like the recent shooting. It's just more interested in protecting the manufacturers — er, I mean members — and they will stop at nothing to absolve their products of culpability.