NRA Statement on Sandy Hook Shootings: Pro-Gun Group is Prepared to 'Make Sure This Never Happens Again'

The National Rifle Association came under fire for staying quiet after the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, but the NRA finally released a statement on Tuesday. In the statement, the NRA said they're going to try to ensure that this "never happens again."

After 20 children and six adults were killed by a weapon used by gunman Adam Lanza, gun control has become a major concern in America. Many were waiting for the NRA to make a statement about the issue as many hope that stricter gun laws will be enforced. Others are concerned that strict gun laws would take away their 2nd Amendment.

Now the nation's largest pro-gun group has spoken and they said that they're going to make an even bigger announcement on Friday.

Here is the statement that the NRA released to members:

"National Rifle Association of America is made up of four million moms and dads, sons and daughters -- and we were shocked, saddened and heartbroken by the news of the horrific and senseless murders in Newtown.

Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting.

The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again.

The NRA is planning to hold a major news conference in the Washington, DC area on Friday, December 21."

While several legislators have stepped forward and said they will support or consider stronger federal gun legislation, it is not clear what the NRA might continue to say about the issue or what their "meaningful contributions" will be.

After past major shootings, the NRA didn't want to hear about making changes.

After the shooting in Tucson, Ariz., which almost killed Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Wayne LaPierre, NRA's chief executive, said that the focus shouldn't be on stricter gun laws, but on preventing mentally ill people from acquiring weapons, according to The New York Times.

"It shouldn't be a dialogue about guns; it really should be a dialogue about dangerous people," LaPierre told Times. The NRA refused to sit down with the White House Administration to discuss the issue. "Why should I or the NRA go sit down with a group of people that have spent a lifetime trying to destroy the Second Amendment in the United States?," LaPierre said.