NRA Ready to Make 'Meaningful Contributions'

The National Rifle Association released a statement on the shootings in Newtown, Conn., saying it will make "meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."

While lawmakers across the country, including U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, have called for stricter gun control laws, the organization has remained largely silent in the days following the Newtown massacre.

In the release, the organization begins to explain its silence, saying: "Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting."

Critics had called out the group in the days following the shooting: As citizens and legislators began to fall on either side of a debate about what, if at all, should be done about gun laws, many wondered why the group was absent from the conversation.

Patch submitted a media request with the NRA, which also houses its National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, and has yet to receive comment. The organization released its statement Tuesday to the press. 

The organization announced it will hold a press conference Friday in Washington, D.C. 

More details on Friday's press conference will be released when timing is deemed "appropriate," according to the statement.

The statement comes after both President Barack Obama and Castor said they want to tighten gun laws in light of Friday's shootings.

Castor says it’s time for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines along with them. She’s also urging Congress to close a loophole that allows the immediate sale of weapons at gun shows.

“There is no reason people need access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,”Castor said in a statement posted on her website. “Commonsense regulation is appropriate. It is time for us as a Congress and as a nation to take swift action. Congress should consider and pass the assault weapons ban this week.”

See also:

Assault Weapon Ban: Is it Time?

Erica R. Hendry and Mary Ann Barton contributed reporting to this story.

What would you consider a "meaningful contribution?" Share your thoughts with other Lutz Patch readers by commenting below.