irjci - The National Rifle Association, which has remained mum since the Dec. 14 mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., and increased calls for renewal of the ban on so-called assault weapons, said this afternoon that it would make an announcement at a news conference Friday."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 group said in a news release. "The NRA is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to help make sure this never happens again."