NRA Official Issues Apology for Controversial Fund-Raising Letter
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WASHINGTON — The National Rifle Assn. apologized Wednesday to law enforcement officials and others offended by a recent fund-raising letter describing some federal agents as “jackbooted thugs.”
“I really feel bad about the fact that the words in that letter have been interpreted to apply to all federal law enforcement officers,” NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said in a telephone interview from Phoenix.
“If anyone thought the intention was to paint all federal law enforcement officials with the same broad brush, I’m sorry, and I apologize,” LaPierre said.
The apology comes after a week of steadily mounting criticism of the NRA, which began May 10 when former President George Bush revealed that he had resigned from the group to protest the letter.
On Wednesday, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.), a longtime NRA member, said the letter contained the “ludicrous and offensive implication” that federal agents are encouraged by the government to commit acts of violence against ordinary people.
LaPierre insisted that the fund-raising letter was intended to criticize only isolated actions, primarily involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
But at least one section of the letter offered a more sweeping condemnation of federal law enforcement efforts.
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