The head of the most powerful gun lobby in the US has accused Democrats and media of “exploiting” a Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead.
Wayne LaPierre said “opportunists” are using the 14 February tragedy to expand gun control and abolish US gun rights.
Mr LaPierre’s comments came during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington.
He also echoed President Donald Trump’s call to arm teachers who have been trained to carry concealed weapons.
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“As usual, the opportunists waited not one second to exploit tragedy for political gain,” said Mr LaPierre, who is head of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
“They hate the NRA. They hate the second amendment. They hate individual freedom,” he said, referring to the second amendment in the US constitution, which governs the “right to keep and bear arms”.
