Journalists slam NRA throughout press conference

When National Rifle Association leader Wayne LaPierre took the stage on Friday to address the media about last week’s elementary school massacre, he made it clear multiple times that the organization has issues with how the press reports on guns.

At one point, LaPierre said “the media demonize lawful gun owners, amplify their cries for more laws and fill the national debate with misinformation and dishonest thinking.”

If the NRA doesn’t like reporters, the feeling is apparently mutual.

As Jeffrey Goldberg, a national correspondent for The Atlantic, put it:

Reporters on my Twitter feed seem to hate the NRA more than anything else, ever. — Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) December 21, 2012

Here are some of the views expressed by reporters and editors — from news outlets including Talking Points Memo, Politico, The New York Times and The Huffington Post – on Twitter during LaPierre’s speech:

LaPierre as delusional as any dictator. His speech against music videos, hurricanes has the feel of a Castro rant or Mugabe tirade.

— The Huffington Post’s Jason Cherkis (@jasoncherkis) December 21, 2012

In Wayne LaPierre’s defense, tone-deafness is a serious condition that afflicts hundreds of thousands of Americans.

— New York Daily News’ Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman) December 21, 2012

Wayne LaPierre should have just given this speech to an empty chair on a stage

— The Nation’s Jeremy Scahill (@jeremyscahill) December 21, 2012

No two ways about: This is gross, awful, dishonest.

— Talking Points Memo’s Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) December 21, 2012

What is this NRA guy talking about? Blame hurricanes. Blame media. It’s so strange.

— Politico’s Ben White (@morningmoneyben) December 21, 2012

This is nuts.

— Talking Points Memo’s Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) December 21, 2012

If it wasn’t for all the dead children, the #NRA press conference might have been amusing.

— The New York Times’ Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) December 21, 2012

Stallone movie meets Fidel Castro speech

— Politico’s Alex Burns (@aburnspolitico) December 21, 2012

Many of the same reporters were infuriated that the NRA wouldn’t take questions.

It’s amazing how much damage LaPierre is doing to the NRA without even allowing questions.

— The Washington Post’s Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) December 21, 2012

Reporters should walk out of this press conference right now, if he’s not taking questions. Otherwise, its just a propaganda event. #Newtown

— The Nation’s David Corn (@DavidCornDC) December 21, 2012