Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association, tells the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today that “law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals,” Politico reports. LaPierre, in prepared remarks, adds, "Nor do we believe the government should dictate what we can lawfully own and use to protect our families.”

also scheduled to testify is Mark Kelly, husband of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Az.), who was severely wounded two years ago in a mass shooting that left six people dead and more than a dozen wounded. Giffords, who retired from Congress, and Kelly, a retired astronaut, have become gun-control advocates. LaPierre said the NRA disagrees with many politicians, "many in the media, and all of the gun control groups on what will keep our kids and our streets safe." He said that universal background checks, now being advanced by President Obama and others, will not cut crime because "criminals will never submit to them."