In the aftermath of the Umpqua Community College mass shootings in Oregon, CNN Newsroom with Carol Costello on Friday hosted gun control activist Andy Parker, father of murder victim Alison Parker, to bash the National Rifle Association and Republicans for their opposition to more gun laws.
After being asked about an op-ed he published in USA Today in which he suggested that the NRA and Republicans are on the side of "evil," Parker went on in the interview to accuse the NRA of "terrorizing this country." A bit earlier, he also accused Texas GOP Rep. Michael McCaul of having "blood on his hands."
Host Carol Costello began the segment by asking the gun control activist his reaction to Rep. McCaul appearing on CNN earlier and expressing the belief that more gun laws would not have prevented the most recent killings. Parker slammed the GOP congressman:
Well, it's interesting to contrast his comments with Senator Blumenthal who you had on earlier. The Senator was advocating common sense legislation that most Americans want, and Congressman McCaul pulled out the tired old playbook that it's a mental health issue only.
He continued:
And I also find it ironic that the FBI has 1,000 people on their no-fly list, and McCaul was one of the congressmen and legislators who helped the NRA block legislation to keep these people from obtaining weapons. So this man has blood on his hands, he's complicit, and, you know, frankly, listening to him tapdance around the interview this morning made me want to throw up.
The CNN host only mildly pushed back:
So, Andy, you're saying McCaul has blood on his hands?
Parker then renewed his attack on the GOP congressman and other politicians supported by the "gun lobby" and accused them of being "complicit." Parker:
Absolutely he does because you're, you know, if you're not willing to take the steps that need to be taken, if your pockets are in the hands of the gun lobby which I'm sure his is and so many politicians across the country, we're going to go after them, Governor McCauliffe and I are going to go after them in Virginia here this month, and we're going to call them out. And they are complicit. We are in a war. This is domestic terrorism. He's supposed to -- McCaul is supposed to protecting us, and he's not.
After turning to her other guest, gun control activist Richard Martinez, Costello returned to Parker and brought up his op-ed from USA Today. Costello:
Andy, in an op-ed for USA Today published this morning, you wrote, quote, "We are engaged in a war in this country. It's a war between rational, responsible people and self-interested zealots, a war between good and evil." You go on to say, "Everyone knows whom I'm talking about," and that would be the National Rifle Association. Explain further for us.
Parker complained that the NRA leadership are able to "continue basically terrorizing this country" because they are supported by gun manufacturers:
Well, it's really the leadership of the National Rifle Association, you know, the vast majority of NRA members and gun owners out there, I've not spoken to any, you know, reasonable hunter, gun owner that isn't for this, you know, the background checks and the closing of the loopholes. It is, you know, the NRA used to be about safety 35 years ago, and they were overtaken by zealots and people that are extremists, and they, you know, they are being fed by gun manufacturers, and that's how they continue basically terrorizing this country.
In the op-ed, Parker had further complained:
Republican legislators across the country refuse to consider common sense measures to prevent the horrific gun violence that kills our loved ones each and every day. By refusing to act, they are aiding and abetting domestic terrorism.
Below is a transcript of relevant portions of the Friday, October 2, CNN Newsroom with Carol Costello from 9:40 a.m.
CAROL COSTELLO: Andy, I want to start with you. What do you think of Congressman McCaul's statement that no law could have stopped this tragedy in Oregon?
ANDY PARKER, GUN CONTROL ACTIVIST: Well, it's interesting to contrast his comments with Senator Blumenthal who you had on earlier. The Senator was advocating common sense legislation that most Americans want, and Congressman McCaul pulled out the tired old playbook that it's a mental health issue only.And I also find it ironic that the FBI has 1,000 people on their no-fly list, and McCaul was one of the Congressmen and legislators who helped the NRA block legislation to keep these people from obtaining weapons. So this man has blood on his hands, he's complicit, and, you know, frankly, listening to him tapdance around the interview this morning made me want to throw up.
COSTELLO: So, Andy, you're saying McCaul has blood on his hands?
PARKER: Absolutely he does because you're, you know, if you're not willing to take the steps that need to be taken, if your pockets are in the hands of the gun lobby which I'm sure his is and so many politicians across the country, we're going to go after them, Governor McCauliffe and I are going to go after them in Virginia here this month, and we're going to call them out. And they are complicit. We are in a war. This is domestic terrorism. He's supposed to -- McCaul is supposed to protecting us, and he's not.
COSTELLO: Richard, do you agree?
(RICHARD MARTINEZ, GUN CONTROL ACTIVIST)
COSTELLO: Andy, in an op-ed for USA Today published this morning, you wrote, quote, "We are engaged in a war in this country. It's a war between rational, responsible people and self-interested zealots, a war between good and evil." You go on to say, "Everyone knows whom I'm talking about," and that would be the National Rifle Association. Explain further for us.
PARKER: Well, it's really the leadership of the National Rifle Association, you know, the vast majority of NRA members and gun owners out there, I've not spoken to any, you know, reasonable hunter, gun owner that isn't for this, you know, the background checks and the closing of the loopholes. It is, you know, the NRA used to be about safety 35 years ago, and they were overtaken by zealots and people that are extremists, and they, you know, they are being fed by gun manufacturers, and that's how they continue basically terrorizing this country.
COSTELLO: And I wanted to ask you about one more thing, Richard. The sheriff in Oregon last night mentioned an effort among police officers not to name the shooter in these killings, and I want to play you what Sheriff Hanlin had to say about that.(SHERIFF JOHN HANLIN, DOUGLAS COUNTY, OR)
Now, Andy, I know you totally agree with the sheriff. I just want to get Richard's thoughts on that.
(MARTINEZ)
