Republicans who are silent about gun control are "dead wrong" on gun issues, according to "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough in a Friday Washington Post opinion piece.
Scarborough said that Republicans avoid engaging in discussion about gun control because they depend on the National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment supporters to get re-elected.
"They say you can't talk about guns even after scores of Americans are gunned down at a concert by a lone man and his private arsenal. They say that even discussing policies to stop the slaughter disrespects the dead. They say this even while rushing toward the cameras to announce their support for half-measures approved by their masters at the NRA. 'They,' of course, are the craven politicians who get re-elected by playing to the most extreme elements in their gerrymandered districts. When it comes to gun safety, however, 'they' are dead wrong," according to Scarborough.
Most Americans do not feel the same as the NRA and Republicans over gun issues, Scarborough said, adding that members of law enforcement, the NRA, and Republicans are in favor of improving background checks and gun laws.
"The NRA and other gun lobbyists strike fear in the hearts of politicians by stoking paranoia in their constituents that government agents are about to climb into their black helicopters to seize hunting rifles from unsuspecting citizens," he wrote.
"Maybe the reason that congressional Republicans and National Rifle Association lobbyists don't want to talk about gun safety has nothing to do with showing respect for the dead. Maybe they fear a real debate on the issue because most Americans find their views on guns abhorrent.
"What must be done? That is a difficult question, but it is made impossible when leaders in Congress refuse to even engage in the debate," Scarborough wrote.
"You have to wonder when one powerful Republican will finally say that enough is enough, that getting re-elected is not worth living in a country where his or her children go to bed afraid that tomorrow might be the day they are gunned down at their bus stop, at their school or at a country music concert."
Tuesday, Scarborough also discussed gun control, during his "Morning Joe" show, according to The Washington Post.
"I don't think the Second Amendment means what liberals think the Second Amendment means. It means you have a right to keep and bear arms. But I also believe what a majority of members of the NRA believe: These weapons are not needed," he said.
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