NRA host hits back at ‘the left’s’ take on Waffle House attack

A host on NRA TV hit back at critics who said the man who stopped a shooter at a Waffle House proves that arming citizens isn’t necessary.

Grant Stinchfield said on his NRA TV show Monday that James Shaw Jr., the man who stopped the shooting, was a hero for confronting the gunman and wrestling away the gun.

{mosads}“I will say without a shadow of a doubt that man saved countless lives and he did exactly what we say to do in that kind of situation. Do not allow yourself to become a victim,” Stinchfield said.

But he knocked those who used Shaw as an example of someone who didn’t need a gun.

“Now what’s amazing to me is that critics of the NRA are quick to use James Shaw as some kind of a strange example as to why guns aren’t needed,” he said.

He blasted “the left” for “politicizing this event before it’s even over.”

“I look at Shaw like a hero, I say, ‘Thank you, God bless him.’ And the fact is without a gun his bravery is even more impressive to me,” he said.

“He stopped a crime, yes; he saved lives, yes. But to me, the story still proves that if anyone had a gun there, including James Shaw, the attack would be over, there would be no manhunt going on right now,” Stinchfield continued. “Instead we have a city on lockdown. But a big thanks to James Shaw.” 

Stinchfield made the comments before the suspect in the shooting was taken into custody Monday.

Shaw suffered a gunshot wound and burns when he tackled the gunman at a Nashville, Tenn., Waffle House on Sunday. Four people were killed and at least three others injured in the shooting.

Police captured the suspected gunman, 29-year-old Travis Reinking, on Monday after a manhunt that lasted more than 24 hours.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explsives said Monday night that Reinking’s father could face charges for giving guns back to his son after authorities first seized the weapons. Reinking was arrested by the Secret Service in 2017.

Reinking’s Illinois firearm authorization was revoked at the request of the FBI after that arrest.