National Rifle Association Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre threw several jabs at the media during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Thursday, saying it is "deceiving" Americans.
About a minute into his speech, LaPierre brought up the NRA's plan to make schools safer in response to the deadly shooting in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012.
"The political and media elites responded by calling me just about every nasty name in the book," LaPierre said. "You remember."
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LaPierre noted that the American public sided with the NRA, citing the numerous schools that implemented its plan by adding armed guards to schools to keep children safe.
The speech wove a similar thread throughout, as LaPierre reiterated the NRA's position on the Second Amendment and defending freedoms. He pointed to poor government decisions and policies, along with a biased media, as a reason for many of the problems plaguing America.
"In virtually every way … we feel profound loss," La Pierre said. "We’re sad. Not because we fear something is going wrong, but because we know something already has gone wrong. That's why more and more Americans are buying firearms and ammunition. Not to cause trouble, but because America is already in trouble.
"Let's be straight about it right here this afternoon. The political and media elites are lying to us. You know they are. They lie bills into law. They pass legislation they haven't even read, and yet eagerly go defend them on television. Healthcare policies, economic policies, foreign affairs all seem repeatedly reckless.
"The IRS is now a weapon. A weapon to punish anyone who disagrees with them. And that means every one of you. They try to regulate our religion. They collect our cellphone and email data. They give us Solyndra, Benghazi, Fast and Furious, Obamacare, massive unemployment, a debt that will choke our grandchildren, and one executive order after another, right on top of each other."
LaPierre then said that the media chooses not to report on the facts.
"And here's the deal. Rather than expose government dishonesty and scandal like they used to, the media elites whitewash it all," he said. "'Move on,' they tell us. 'There'’s nothing to see here. Don't worry about it. Move on.' One of America's greatest threats is a national news media that fails to provide a level playing field for the truth."
LaPierre closed his speech by talking about the next presidential election. The NRA, he said, will stand firm on its beliefs and will fight for change at the top of the political food chain.
"I ask all of you, and everyone watching this, join us, and together we will stand and fight and win back and take back our country," he said.
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