New York Daily News Editor-in-Chief Calls Out NRA For Spreading Propaganda And Paranoia

From the June 17 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:

Video file

RON FOURNIER: Hey Jim, I admire what you're doing with your publication. I have a political question, though. Democrats will tell you that the NRA cannot be beaten. And the implication, unstated or stated, is the only way to get this kind of legislation is to give us, Democrats, the House and the Senate. That's probably not going to happen very soon, at least not the House, certainly not soon enough for the next attack. Do you think the NRA, under the current circumstances, can't be beat, or are Democrats -- the party itself and the leaders -- not doing enough to overcome the NRA's obstinance?

JIM RICH: I think it's been proven that they cannot be beat, up until this point. I mean we had 20 school children slaughtered in Sandy Hook, and we could not overcome the NRA lobby. A couple of days ago, Donald Trump says, “I'm going to talk to the NRA about closing the loophole on the terror watch list gun ban.” Why is he going to the NRA? Why does the NRA have anything to do with this as far as passing legislation? Shouldn't he be talking to Paul Ryan? Shouldn't he be talking to the leaders in Congress? But this is where we are. They are running the country. 

FOURNIER: So, you're telling me they can't be beat, Jim, or is there a smarter way to do it, other than waiting for the House to be taken over?

RICH: I think the way to do it is the continued and relentless pressure that is being put on them. And look, they have spread a lot of propaganda, they have created a lot of paranoia among many of their followers and many of the Republicans in this country. You talk to people about, “oh, well, they're going to come and take my guns. Obama is going to take my guns, so I'm going to be left defenseless when the government overtakes the population.” That is absolutely insane. Is this where we are at this moment in this country? 

Previously:

NRA Admits It: “Obama Really Hasn’t Had The Opportunity To” Confiscate Guns

CNN's Cuomo: The NRA's Attempt To Seem Reasonable On Guns For Terrorists Is “An Insulting Supposition”

NRA Breaks Silence After Worst Mass Shooting In U.S. History: Buy NRA Gear For Father’s Day