WASHINGTON--In the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre in Newtown, Ct., the National Rifle Association is planning to hold what it is billing as a "major news conference" Friday at 10:45 a.m. ET.

The NRA has basically been silent since the killings last Friday. The NRA said in a statement issued Tuesday, "Out of respect for the families, and as a matter of common decency, we have given time for mourning, prayer and a full investigation of the facts before commenting. The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."