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Chris Matthews found himself in a heated clash with Gun Owners of America executive director Larry Platt on his Thursday MSNBC show.
Matthews opened his show by discussing the gun control legislation Gov. Dan Malloy signed into law earlier that day, making Connecticut a state with some of the toughest gun laws in the country. The new legislation requires background checks for almost all private gun sales and bans the sale of magazine clips with more than 10 rounds.
Matthews' interview with Pratt grew tense very quickly, when the Gun Owners of America director said he and his organization have been against background checks since the beginning since research has not shown that the practice actually reduces crime.
"Let's talk logic here," Matthews said. "If a criminal, or a nut, or an addict or a wife beater shows up at a gun store and wants to buy a gun and the guy says, 'No," how does that not prevent violence? How is that not a good thing to happen?"
As Pratt started to argue against background checks, Matthews quickly interrupted him. "You listen to the answer, please," Pratt pleaded. "I'm being polite," Matthews shot back.
The two men argued for quite a few minutes. Matthews said Pratt had "no argument" for being against background checks. Pratt argued that people don't trust Matthews. "Actually, a lot of people do, they're watching," Matthews said.
Multiple cable news shows discussed gun control after Malloy signed the new legislation into law. Fox News' Megyn Kelly interviewed NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre earlier that day and grilled him on his opposition to banning magazine clips that have more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
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