The NRA Expresses Support For The Dallas Police Department, But Remains Silent On Philando Castile

In stark contrast to their relative silence around the shooting death of Philando Castile, the NRA has quickly issued a statement regarding the mass shooting of police officers in Dallas. In a tweet that relays the words of NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre, the gun advocacy organization expressed condolences to the families of the five officers who were killed while monitoring a protest.

“On behalf of the more than 5 million members of the National Rifle Association, and especially on behalf of our members from the law enforcement community, I want to express the deep anguish that all of us feel for the heroic Dallas law enforcement officers who were killed and wounded, as well as to those who so bravely ran toward danger to defend the city and the people of Dallas,” the statement reads. “With heavy hearts, NRA members honor their heroism and offer our deepest condolences to all of their families.”

To people who have been waiting for the gun rights organization to comment on the death of legal gun owner Philando Castile, this might read as the NRA showing its hand. More than a few Twitter users called out the organization for its silence on Castile’s death, when it is so quick to jump into any other conversation about guns, particularly in the wake of tragedies.

However, at least one NRA podcaster broke the silence of the organization with an admission that the situation didn’t “look good.”

“Our right to keep and bear arms shouldn’t depend on the color of our skin,” said Cam Edwards, host of Cam&Co.

UPDATE: Late this afternoon, the NRA finally broke its silence on Castile.