Everything to know about Dana Loesch, the NRA spokesperson from the CNN town hall
The survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting are not backing down. In the week since the shooting, they’ve called out President Donald Trump, lawmakers, and members of the NRA and demanded that they take action on gun control. And on Wednesday, February 21st, the survivors and families of the victims faced their senators and lawmakers for the first time. In a powerful town hall meeting hosted by CNN in Sunrise, Florida, they confronted Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Bill Nelson, Representative Ted Deutch, and National Rifle Association (NRA) national spokeswoman Dana Loesch.
It’s clear that the room overwhelmingly sided with the survivors. Thousands cheered them on as they asked honest questions and demanded real answers. One of the most talked-about moments from the town hall was an interview with Dana Loesch.
“I don’t believe that this insane monster should have ever been able to obtain a firearm. Ever. I do not think that he should have gotten his hands on any kind of weapon. That’s number one. This individual was nuts. And I, nor the millions of people that I represent as a part of this organization that I’m here speaking for — none of us support people who are crazy, who are a danger to themselves, who are a danger to others, getting their hands on a firearm,” Loesch told 17-year-old Emma Gonzalez. “I don’t want anyone to ever be in this position again.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVdR99vzGwE?feature=oembed
As you watched the town hall, you might have wondered: Who exactly is Dana Loesch?
Dana Loesch is the national spokeswoman for the NRA and a longtime outspoken supporter of Second Amendment rights. She was born and raised a Democrat but became a Republican after the 9/11 attacks. Loesch previously worked as a writer and editor for the far-right website Breitbart News (yes, that Breitbart News) and hosted a talk show called Dana on Glenn Beck’s The Blaze. Additionally, she’s been a radio host, a blogger, and has published two books. She appears on Fox News, CNN, and other networks.
You may recognize Loesch from controversial NRA ads. One ad in particular that went viral blamed protests on celebrities, insinuating that liberals are violent and worth protecting yourself from. “We’re going to laser-focus on your so-called ‘honest pursuit of truth,’” Loesch says ominously to liberals in another NRA video. “In short, we’re coming for you.”
As Dana Loesch left the town hall on Wednesday night, the students booed her.
NRA's Dana Loesch booed as she leaves town hall #StudentsStandUp pic.twitter.com/avbtFLcynh
— Emanuella Grinberg (@grinsli) February 22, 2018
Though she insisted that the NRA is fighting for the students, most were unconvinced. As this fight continues, we have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of Dana Loesch and the NRA.