Bill Clinton: America has 'bought the NRA's theory' we would all be safer with a gun
New York (CNN) - Bill Clinton addressed a number of crime and justice issues during a sweeping talk with CNN on Wednesday, including taking on the National Rifle Association and its pro-gun policy.
The former president, in a conversation with CNN's Erin Burnett at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York, lumped together the NRA, stand your ground laws, and people surrounding themselves only with those who agree with them as problems that lead to a more violent climate in the United States.
Clinton, however, rejected the idea that several high-profile cases with apparent racial undertones mean the U.S. is more racist than it was in the past.
"I think we have enhanced the risks by changing the environment, basically, because it seems we bought the NRA's theory that we would all be safer if everybody in this audience had a gun that was a concealed weapon," Clinton said. "Then if one of them felt threatened by another, they could stand up right here and stand their ground. And we could watch the whole saga unfold. That is what happens."
CNN Special Town Hall: Bill Clinton puts himself on Obama's side on airstrikes
Watch "President Bill Clinton: A CNN Special Town Hall" moderated by CNN's Erin Burnett tonight at 9 ET and midnight. Join the conversation on CNN's Bing Pulse website. You can respond to tonight's conversation in real-time.
New York (CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton told CNN he agrees with President Barack Obama's decision to authorize airstrikes against the terrorist group ISIS and arm Syrian rebels working to defeat them.
During a panel hosted by CNN's Erin Burnett at the Clinton Global Initiative on Wednesday, the former president unequivocally said, "I support what they (the Obama administration) are doing."
"I personally believe the way they have thought this through and planned it and limited our involvement, avoids ISIS achieving their objective of suckering us into their fight," Clinton said of the airstrikes. "We should give support for people who are fighting for their lives."
On arming Syrian rebels, the former president said the administration has "reached the judgment that it is... worth the gamble, I think, to try to make it work."
Tonight 9pE: @ErinBurnett sits down with @billclinton to discuss global challenges and more. @CNN #CGI2014 pic.twitter.com/YYCDWItKYB
— OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) September 24, 2014
On Twitter
