NRA targets Newtown voters with robo-calls

The National Rifle Association has once again stirred up outrage in Newtown, Conn. The group is making robo-calls to residents, trying to enlist them in efforts to defeat new statewide gun control proposals.

The automated phone call from the National Rifle Association said "anti-gun legislators are aggressively pursuing numerous proposals that are designed to punish and disarm law-abiding gun owners," and it continued to ask residents to urge politicians "to oppose any legislation that tramples your Second Amendment right, and inhibits your inherent right to self defense."

"It's not the right thing for the NRA to be doing right now," said Newtown resident David Freedman. "And regardless of your political position or what not, what side you're on, it's really not the right approach."

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal was outraged. He said his office had fielded calls from angry constituents, including victims' families.

"If the NRA has an ounce of sensitivity or caring or humanity, they will apologize to Newtown and the families that received this call," said Blumenthal.

The NRA did not return repeated requests for comment. But the robo-calls come as the Connecticut legislature considers new gun law proposals, including universal background checks for gun purchases, an idea the NRA dismisses as ineffective.

"The whole thing on universal checks is a dishonest premise. There's not a bill on the hill that provides a universal check. Criminals are not going to do this. The shooters in Tucson, Aurora, and Newtown, they're not going to be checked. They're unrecognizable," Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president and CEO said on NBC'S "Meet the Press."

Support for tighter gun control measures is decreasing in the months since the Newtown shootings. According to a CBS News poll, 47 percent of people say they support stricter gun laws, down from a high of 57 percent just after the shootings.

But Blumenthal said he remains committed to tougher gun laws.

"The NRA has said they hope the 'Connecticut effect' will go away, but this time is important and different because the vast majority of American people feel we need to do something about gun violence," said Blumenthal.

For Elaine Quijano's full report, watch the video in the player above.