Social media users skewer NRA’s press conference

“The only way, the only way to stop a monster from killing our kids is to be personally involved,” said Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the nation’s largest gun lobby. “The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is to have a good guy with a gun.”

He called on Congress to appropriate funds to put armed guards in every school in America by January, when children will return to classes after the holiday break.

The initial and overwhelming reaction to the press conference is that it’s a PR disaster for the NRA.

“LaPierre’s speech was a near pitch-perfect example of how not to conduct a heartfelt speech in the wake of a national tragedy,” said PR consultant Brian Adams. “From the cold reading of his speech to a frozen facial expression of ‘Why don’t you understand?’ LaPierre seemed determined from the get-go to pitch his organization.”

Social media users, too, skewered LaPierre for his proposals.

The NRA put forward the suggestions in response to last Friday’s shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. In the aftermath of the event, the public directed much of its wrath at the NRA.