NRA official accuses media of sensationalizing Trayvon Martin story

By msnbc.com news services

ST. LOUIS -- A top National Rifle Association official on Saturday accused the media of sensationalizing the Trayvon Martin case and ignoring other crimes that happen across the country every day.

Speaking at the NRA’s annual meeting, Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre didn't mention the Martin case by name during his speech. But he accused the media of "sensational” reporting from Florida and criticized coverage of gun issues in general.

"Everyday victims aren't celebrities. They don't draw ratings, don't draw sponsors. But sensational reporting from Florida does. In the aftermath of one of Florida's many daily tragedies, my phone has been ringing off the hook" with calls from reporters, he said.

LaPierre listed several killings in cities across the country, including one in St. Louis this week, that he said have been ignored as the media focused on the Martin case.

"You reporters, you don't care about those people," he said of the other victims.

The Trayvon Martin case has focused national attention on so-called "Stand Your Ground" laws in a number of states that provide broader grounds to claim a shooting was in self-defense.

Police in Florida initially declined to arrest George Zimmerman, the man who shot Martin, citing the state's law allowing the use of deadly force when a person feels threatened. A special prosecutor earlier this week charged Zimmerman with second-degree murder.

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The NRA has been the chief backer of Stand Your Ground laws. Versions of these laws, also referred to as the "Castle Doctrine" because they allow citizens to use force protect their homes, are in effect in 30 states including Florida.

NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.
At the NRA annual meeting on Saturday, the organization celebrated its success in passing the laws, showing a video to the membership of a young mother in Oklahoma, Sarah McKinley, who shot dead a knife-wielding home invader on New Year's Eve.

Authorities decided not to charge her, citing the state's law allowing the use of force in self-defense.

"We always as members of the NRA Stand our Ground," LaPierre said.

Commentaire
En supposant que ce vendeur d'armes, ce trafiquant de mort, ce spéculateur malhonnête et inconscient puisse faire la leçon à qui que ce soit, il ne saurait agir qu'en pensant à sa poche. La preuve, c'est que sur le cadavre même d'une personne, parmi de nombreuses autres, abattue au nom des principes que lui et ceux qui lui ressemblent préconisent, au mépris de toute disposition à cohabiter pacifiquement avec autrui, il continue de faire des affaires. Il continue de vanter les mérites de sa marchandise. Ce propagandiste de la mort dont la seule vertu semble le don de vendre le plus d'armes possibles sur la base de dangers inexistants, a besoin des crises. Il a surtout besoin de faire vite. Aussitôt qu'une solution est trouvée pour juguler une crise, ces orphelins d'intelligence en inventent mille autres. Les écouter, c'est une véritable perte de temps. Mais les ignorer, c'est pire. On ne saurait jamais jusqu'ou leur élucubration pourrait pousser des esprits non avertis sans qu'on soit en mesure de les contrôler. Quel dilemme!