After noting some of the other groups represented in the crowd, including some who “work in the firearm industry,” Cuomo proved the NRA’s decision to not take part correct when he blasted them:

We also invited the National Rifle Association, the NRA, to be a part of tonight’s conversation. They declined. They sent a totally disingenuous statement that they’re open to honest discussion, but not this spectacle.

“That’s what you call this, a spectacle? I guess they want to do their talking with propaganda ads and millions in lobbying,” he viciously spat. “Besides, let’s be honest, the gun lobby is not going to be the answer. And that shouldn’t be expected any more than we expected big tobacco to help us expose the ills of smoking.”