The NRA's Wayne LaPierre argues that background checks for gun buyers would let the government tax gun owners or take their weapons.
OXON HILL, Md. — The head of the National Rifle Association is attacking President Barack Obama's call for mandatory background checks for gun owners.
The NRA's Wayne LaPierre says those who favor mandatory background checks may be, in his word, "insane."
LaPierre says background checks won't make schools safer. Instead, he says, the checks will let the government tax gun owners or take their weapons. He spoke to activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday in suburban Washington.
Obama has called on Congress to tighten gun laws following the Connecticut school shooting that killed 26 children and educators. The president supports a series of reforms, including mandatory background checks and a renewal of the assault weapons ban.
Conservatives say they are increasingly confident Congress will reject any reforms.
