The Philadelphia mayor thinks banning assault weapons is a better idea.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is not afraid to speak frankly. On Wednesday, he left no doubt about where he stands on the National Rifle Association's proposal to place an armed guard in every school following the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Nutter says it's a "completely dumba-- idea."
Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the politically powerful NRA, made the suggestion at a Dec. 21 press conference that was described by many as bizarre. But LaPierre, on NBC's Meet the Press this week, stuck to his guns.
"If it's crazy to call for putting police and armed security in our schools to protect our children, then call me crazy," he said.
"We need to ban assault weapons," Nutter said Wednesday. "We need to ban the high-capacity clips and magazines. We need serious background information, system upgrade," he said during an appearance on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports.
The NRA also is no fan of Nutter, who is a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns and current president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The organization in 2008 called for his arrest after he signed a gun control measure.
BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
(Photo: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)
On Facebook
On Twitter
