Hillary Clinton Fires Back at Donald Trump for NRA Remarks

Trump accused Clinton of trying to take away the Second Amendment.

ByABC News
May 21, 2016, 9:52 PM
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally on May 11, 2016 in Blackwood, N.J.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a rally on May 11, 2016 in Blackwood, N.J.
Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images

FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida -- Hillary Clinton fired back at Donald Trump tonight for comments he made to the National Rifle Association, in which he spoke in favor of open carry laws and accused Clinton of wanting to take away the right to bear arms -- a position she has not taken.

In return, Clinton accused Trump of pandering to the gun lobby and for calling for "dangerous" gun policies.

"This is someone running to be president of the United States of America, a country facing a gun violence epidemic and he's talking about more guns in our schools," the Democratic presidential front-runner said during remarks at the Trayvon Martin Foundation's 3rd annual "Circle of Mothers" Dinner at the Embassy Suites in Ft. Lauderdale. "He's talking about more hatred and division in our streets, even about more nuclear weapons in the world. That's no way to keep us safe."

Speaking to a roomful of mothers who have lost children to gun violence, Clinton specifically criticized Trump's proposal to mandate that every school in the country allow guns in classrooms.

"That idea isn’t just way out there, it's dangerous," Clinton said.

"Parents, teachers and schools should have the right to keep guns out of classrooms. Just like Donald Trump does at many of his hotels by the way," she added.

Security and staff at several of Trump's hotels and golf courses have told ABC News that guests are not allowed to carry guns there. The Trump Organization, meanwhile, claims that's not true.

Trump was quick to respond to Clinton’s remarks.

“Crooked Hillary said that I want guns brought into the school classroom. Wrong!” he tweeted.

In January, Trump painted a different picture.

"I will get rid of gun-free zones on schools, and — you have to — and on military bases,” he said at a campaign event in Burlington, VT. "My first day, it gets signed, okay? My first day. There's no more gun-free zones.”

On Friday, Trump received the endorsement of the NRA after he delivered remarks at the organization's annual convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Trump used the platform to reiterate his policy promise to eliminate gun-free zones, which exist at some schools and at military bases. And he took aim at Clinton, who has called for stricter background checks and for closing gun-show loopholes that make it easier for people to get firearms.

"The Second Amendment is under a threat like never before," the former reality TV star said. "Crooked Hillary Clinton is the most anti-gun ... candidate ever to run for office. And, as I said before, she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. She wants to take your guns away. She wants to abolish it."

The Clinton campaign immediately denounced Trump’s characterization of her position on guns, tweeting: "You're wrong, @realDonaldTrump. We can uphold Second Amendment rights while preventing senseless gun violence."

The campaign is also fundraising off of it.

Earlier today, Erica Smegielski, who lost her mother in the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, sent a fundraising email on behalf of Clinton, calling out Trump for his position on guns.

ABC News’ Candace Smith and Chris Good contributed to this report.