NRA clashes with New York City mayor

The chief executive of the National Rifle Association said Sunday that his organization would lead a national campaign against efforts by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to persuade Congress to adopt stricter gun controls.

Mr. Bloomberg and the rifle association executive, Wayne LaPierre, appeared separately on NBC News program Meet the Press Sunday. Mr. Bloomberg, a billionaire and registered independent, said he was spending $12-million on advertising in support of pending federal legislation to curb gun violence. In reply, Mr. LaPierre said, “He can’t buy America.”

“He can’t spend enough of his $27-billion to try to impose his will on the American public,” Mr. LaPierre said. Referring to Mr. Bloomberg’s wellknown campaigns against smoking and junk food, he said: “They don’t want him in their restaurants, they don’t want him in their homes, they don’t want him telling them what food to eat. They sure don’t want him telling what self-defense firearms to own.”

Mr. Bloomberg formed a super PAC last year to donate to candidates and causes that he supports. One of the causes is gun control. Mr. LaPierre said gun owners would be a political counterweight to the mayor. “We have people all over, millions of people, sending us $5, $10, $15, $20 checks, saying, ‘Stand up to this guy that says we can only have three bullets,’ which is what he said,” Mr. LaPierre said.

Mr. Bloomberg said the NRA’s power was “vastly overrated.” Moreover, he said he was “cautiously optimistic” that Congress would follow public opinion and vote for stricter gun controls. The Senate is expected to begin debate on gun legislation next month.