Newt Slaps Down Gun Control on CBS: 'If Gun Control Works, Chicago Ought to Be Safe'
Newt Gingrich turned the tables on Norah O'Donnell on Tuesday's CBS This Morning during a discussion about gun control. O'Donnell hounded Gingrich regarding a target practice app allegedly from the National Rifle Association: "There's some controversy over the fact that the NRA has released a new iTunes app that offers shooting practice, and can be for children ages 4 years old-plus. What do you think about that?"
The former House Speaker answered by slamming the Obama administration's plans for new firearms regulations in the wake of the Newtown school massacre [audio available here; video below the jump]:
NEWT GINGRICH: Well, I think it's amazing that we're having all this discussion about gun control. The President's hometown of Chicago is the murder capital of the United States. Over 500 people were killed there last year. Vice President Biden doesn't seem to want to go there. I'm trying to get the House Republicans to hold hearings there. It's illegal to have all the guns that are killing people in Chicago. If gun control works, Chicago ought to be safe.
O'Donnell raised the app issue near the end of an interview segment with Gingrich. The former NBC correspondent interrupted the Georgia Republican in the middle of his attack on gun control: "And the appropriateness, Mr. Speaker, of the app by the NRA – is that appropriate?" Her guest replied, "My understanding is that it's a gun safety app, and that it's for young hunters to learn gun safety. But I would just recommend people watch the entire app before they render judgment."
This isn't the first time that a Gingrich appearance on the CBS morning newscast has caused fireworks. Back in October 2012, the former Republican presidential candidate took the Obama administration to task over its handling of the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
Six months earlier, Gingrich sparred with co-anchor Charlie Rose over the Republican seemingly questioning the patriotism of President Obama. Rose also previously threw the race card at the former House Speaker for a supposedly insensitive remark about food stamps and over the issue of prominent conservatives opposing his presidential campaign.
