WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, a National Rifle Association-endorsed Democrat who opened the door to increased gun control earlier this week, said Friday he's "deeply disappointed" by the NRA's proposal to place armed guards in schools to prevent future shootings.
The NRA pitched the plan Friday morning. The group's vice president, Wayne LaPierre, called on Congress to pass legislation funding armed security guards at schools around the country in response to last week's Connecticut school shooting that left 26 dead.
"As parents, we do everything we can to keep our children safe. It is now time for us to assume responsibility for their safety at school," LaPierre said. "The only way to stop a monster from killing our kids is to be personally involved and invested in a plan of absolute protection. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."
While opening the door to more gun control earlier this week, Walz said he opposed some conservatives' proposal to arm teachers.
During a conference call with reporters Friday morning, Walz, a former school teacher, said of the NRA's proposal, "I clearly reject the idea of armed encampments in schools."
"I can't state how incredibly disappointed I am with the approach that was taken this morning," he said.
Walz is one of a handful of NRA-endorsed Washington Democrats to open the door to more gun control this week. He told MinnPost the Connecticut shooting has "focused the public" on the issue of gun control and he's open to considering proposals along those lines.
Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com