We’ve always known that conservatives — National Rifle Association members in particular — are not always the brightest bulbs in the chandelier. Yet, the response by the NRA and its supporters have reached dizzying new heights of bizarre rationalizing and tone-deafness in their response to the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings in Newtown, CT. The NRA’s long-awaited official statement and press conference with CEO Wayne LaPierre on December 21st, as transcribed by The Washington Post, was a travesty; LaPierre appearance on Meet the Press baffled and frustrated its host, David Gregory (as reported by Addicting Info‘s Egberto Willies);  NRA President David Keene’s facile arguments were repeatedly shot down by Face the Nation host Bob Scheiffer; and pro-gun supporters have blamed the Sandy Hook shootings on mental illness, video games,  the president, lack of armed guards in our schools, and just about everything under the sun except for guns.