Christie calls NRA ad 'reprehensible,' announces violence task force
TRENTON - Gov. Christie opened fire on the NRA's new ad focusing on President Obama's daughters - he called it "reprehensible" - but he held his fire and wouldn't given an opinion about a proposed federal assault weapons ban.
Christie calls NRA ad 'reprehensible,' announces violence task force
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
To read the full story in Friday's paper, click here.
TRENTON – Gov. Christie blasted the NRA’s new ad focusing on President Obama’s daughters – he called it “reprehensible” – but he wouldn’t given an opinion about a proposed federal assault weapons ban.
Christie’s extensive comments on the issues of guns and violence came during a news conference this afternoon at the Statehouse in which Christie announced the creation of a task force to examine “violence control” measures in the wake of the shooting massacre in Sandy Hook.
Led by two former state attorneys general, one Republican and one Democrat, and made up of a school superintendent, mental health expert and the executives of two substance abuse centers, the SAFE Task Force will have 60 days to offer the governor suggestions.
He said he was “not worried” about how the NRA or gun-control advocates would react to the ultimate decisions he makes on the task force’s recommendations.
"I'm not worried about the NRA, I'm not worried about the Brady Campaign [To Prevent] Gun Violence, or [former Congresswoman] Gabrielle Giffords or anyone who is very vocal on any side of the issue," he said.
His decisions about how to proceed in New Jersey would be based on the task force's policy recommendations in five areas: Guns, mental health, drug addiction, levels of violence in society (like in video games) and school safety. Public hearings will be held and the task force, led by former Attorneys General Peter G. Verniero and John J. Degnan, will interview experts.
Despite repeated questions, Christie wouldn’t give an opinion on two of the hottest issues in the congressional gun control debate – a federal assault weapons ban and a limit on high-capacity magazines. He refused to answer similar questions during national TV interviews last week and at a town hall meeting Wednesday.
"First I have to have my own house in order, and that's what we’re starting to do today," Christie said. "You can ask me as many times as you want, and when I believe it's appropriate for me to give an opinion on that I'll give one."
Christie said he wouldn't have any influence on Congress if he opined on the issues right now.
But the governor did strongly criticize the new ad from the NRA (below) calling Obama an “elitist hypocrite” because his two daughters have armed protection at school while most American children do not.
Christie had opened his news conference talking as a father: "There's nothing more inexplicable, more heartbreaking for a parent, than the death of a child. I say this more as a parent than a public official."
So when I asked him later about the NRA ad, his response was in the same vein:
"To talk about the president's children and any other public officer's children who have not by their own choice but by requirement have protection -- and to use that somehow to try to make a political point -- I think is reprehensible...I think it's awful to bring public figure's children into the public debate. You see that kind of ad and you cringe because it's just not appropriate."
Christie added that the ad "demeans" the NRA and "makes them less of a valid and trusted source of information on the real issues."
Christie is right again! What the H is going on??— carl and sons- Yes he is right again. The NRA targeted the Presidents' children and that makes that organization no different from the gunman at Sandy Hook elementary school. How dare the NRA (aka now: National Rectum Association) target children.
Take Pres Obama to task for his position of assault weapons or extra large magazines but you do not target children. EVER!!!!
Rational NRA members recognize that the organization crossed the line with this ad. It is only the few ignorant an*ses who sanctify this organization and who harbor an acute paranoia about the federal government taking their guns who find value in this kind of ad.
And Yes. Christie is right. He is right on this issue.— nebulus - Does the governor have an opinion of whether or not it was appropriate to have kids up at the White House for the signing of the executive orders?— Joe Devola
- Wonder what Christie would say if BHO, surrounded by children survivors, announced executive orders limiting abortion?
- You have to wonder at people who are more outraged at the president having kids at a signing that they are at the massacre of kids in an elementary school. — carl and sons
- Classic-Newark and Camden are more dangerous than Beirut in the 80's but politicians are debating who is being more obtuse. People need to understand that our system of government exists freedoms to ALL people-and with that liberty, we have to accept the tragedies that can occur in a free society. Taking away an individuals rights is not only wrong, but dangerous when considering that government often will be given an inch and take the whole field. As a society we have been slowly apathetic about our freedoms to the point that we have completely taken them for granted. This will be the way our country ultimately changes-and not for the better.— shirleyf
- Liberals are celebrating but that's called winning a battle and not caring about the war. Is an NRA ad really more important than an actual policy. The left is king at making big issues about small things.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- Please show us where "liberals" are celebrating. I think you're king of making nonsense out of sense. — masterncommander
- Just another reason Christie is done on a national level. He is no Republican.— fgomarty
- He's actually a real Republican. That's what's wrong with conservatives today, you're all off the deep end, hardcore fringe lunatics. John Hunstman and Colin Powell said it right about how the Republican party's biggest flaw today is that it caters to the religous and NRA lunatic fringe. — masterncommander
- If you are an example of the typical "real republican", your party is over as a national force. — carl and sons
- Christie and Nutter look like twins!— Chief_Negotiator
- Conservative gun fruits are reprehensible. Gun ownership is a Constitutional right. We get that and it should be. Nobody is going to take anyone's guns. If you want to play with military style tactical weapons, join the military. But the fact that nobody can even have a discussion about gun violence without being bullied by the gun freaks and the NRA is ridiculous.— masterncommander
- First, the NRA ad attacked Obama for his hypocrisy, not his children.
Second, Obama surrounded himself with children as props when he made his announcement. Did the governor miss both of those points? If Christie is trying to set himself up for a run at a national office, he's risking alienating those whose support he would need most.— Kranzley - @krazley: From the website of the U.S. Secret Service: "Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law (18 United States Code § 3056) to protect:
The president, the vice president, (or other individuals next in order of succession to the Office of the President), the president-elect and vice president-elect
The immediate families of the above individuals
Former presidents and their spouses for their lifetimes, except when the spouse remarries. In 1997, Congressional legislation became effective limiting Secret Service protection to former presidents for a period of not more than 10 years from the date the former president leaves office
Children of former presidents until age 16"
So, for all of you ignorant lemmings who want to believe that President Obama is doing something out of the ordinary, know that President Bush's family received the same level of protection for his family, as did President Clinton's family, as did the first President Bush, and so on, and so forth. Get over it.— lalaw9833
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
