NBC's Williams: 'Newtown Families Went Home Still Grieving' After Gun Control Defeat

April 23rd, 2013 4:29 PM

On Monday's NBC Nightly News, during a round-up of news stories that were eclipsed by coverage of the Boston bombing, anchor Brian Williams highlighted the failure of gun control legislation, noting that it "broke through last week but otherwise would have dominated our coverage..." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]

In the brief item, Williams recalled how President Obama labeled the political defeat "a shameful day in Washington" and lamented: "Upwards of 90% of the American people support it, but not enough members of the U.S. Senate." Williams then declared: "The President showed a rare flash of anger. The Newtown families went home still grieving."

On the day the bill was voted down, Williams described "cries of shame from victims of gun violence."

Here is a transcript of the April 22 news brief:

7:16PM ET

(...)

BRIAN WILLIAMS: Among the events that broke through last week but otherwise would have dominated our coverage, what the President called "a shameful day for Washington." The failure to pass expanded background checks for gun purchases. Upwards of 90% of the American people support it, but not enough members of the U.S. Senate. Vice President Biden wore his reaction on his face. The President showed a rare flash of anger. The Newtown families went home still grieving.

(...)