NRA-ILA's Chris Cox responded to Michael Bloomberg's challenge with one of his own.
The National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Annual Meetings & Exhibits took place in Indianapolis, Indiana over the weekend, and Michael Bloomberg was a key topic for many speakers throughout the event.
Bloomberg-a former New York Mayor and business magnate-announced the dedication of $50 million to fund a newly-minted gun control group called Everytown for Gun Safety earlier this month. Bloomberg also specifically targeted the NRA, stating that he planned to outspend the gun rights organization.
“I actually don’t know what’s bigger: his bank account, his arrogance, or his hypocrisy,” NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Executive Director Chris Cox told an audience of thousands in Indianapolis.
Although Bloomberg’s personal fortune is immense-estimated to be just shy of $32 billion by Forbes, making him the 17th richest person in the world-Cox launched into a scathing criticism of the billionaire’s hypocrisy and that of his supporters. Cox especially focused on an interview Bloomberg did with the New York Times in which the former mayor outlined his push for further gun control efforts. Over the course of the interview Bloomberg discussed his previous contributions to clean energy and environmental initiatives, his desire for a “bipartisan” approach to gun control reforms, and even took the time to delve into some personal reflection.
“‘If there is a God, when I get to heaven I’m not stopping to be interviewed. I am heading straight in. I have earned my place in heaven. It’s not even close,’” Cox quoted Bloomberg as saying in the Times interview.
“I’ve looked, but I can’t find anywhere in the scripture that says the way to get into heaven is deny good people the right to defend themselves from criminal attack,” said Cox.
