HOUSTON –
The National Rifle Association begins its annual convention in Houston on Friday, and leaders of the powerful gun rights group are preparing to “reflect” – and deflect any guilt – the deadly shooting in early ‘this week of 19 boys and girls. two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and other top Republicans plan to address the three-day gun marketing and advocacy event, which is expected to draw protesters fed up with gun violence.
Some scheduled speakers and performers have withdrawn, including two Texas lawmakers and American Pie singer Don McLean, who said it would be “disrespectful” to go ahead with his act after the last shooting. massive country.
While U.S. President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress have renewed calls for stricter gun laws, NRA board member Phil Journey said the focus should be on – in better mental health care and in trying to prevent armed violence. He said he would not support banning or restricting access to firearms.
The NRA said in an online statement that people attending the gun show “will reflect on” the Uvalde school shooting, “pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members and pledge to redouble. our commitment to ensuring the safety of our schools. “
People who planned to attend picked up the registration badges on Thursday and bought NRA souvenirs, such as T-shirts that say “Suns Out Guns Out.” Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
Gary Francis traveled with his wife and friends from Racine, Wisconsin, to attend the NRA meeting. He said he was opposed to any gun control regulations in response to the Uvalde shooting.
“What happened there is obviously tragic,” he said. “But the NRA had nothing to do with it. The people who come here had nothing to do with it.”
Texas has experienced a series of mass shootings in recent years. During this time, the Republican-led legislature and governor have relaxed gun laws.
There are precedents for the NRA to meet amid local mourning and controversy. The organization released a shortened version of its 1999 meeting in Denver about a week after the deadly shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Actor Charlton Heston, president of the ANR at the time, told attendees that “horrible acts” should not become opportunities to limit constitutional rights and denounced critics for converting members of the ANR. ANR as “villains”.
Rocky Marshall, a former NRA board member, said that while Uvalde’s tragedy “puts the meeting in a bad light,” that’s not a reason to cancel it. Marshall said gun rights advocates and opponents may be able to reduce armed violence if they focus on factors such as mental illness or school security.
“Throwing stones at the NRA doesn’t solve the next mass shooting,” he said. “Throwing stones at people who hate guns doesn’t solve the next mass shooting.”
But country music singer Larry Gatlin, who withdrew from the planned appearance at the event, said he expects “the NRA to rethink some of its outdated and unthinking positions.”
“While I agree with most NRA positions, I’ve come to believe that while background checks wouldn’t stop all crazy people with a gun, it’s at least a step in the right direction. right direction, “Gatlin said.
Country singers Lee Greenwood and Larry Stewart also retired, Variety reported.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that NRA leaders “are contributing to the problem of armed violence and are not trying to solve it.” He accused them of representing the interests of arms manufacturers, “who sell weapons of war to young adults.”
Two Texas Republican lawmakers who were scheduled to speak Friday – U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw – will no longer attend because of what their staff said were changes to their schedules.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was scheduled to attend, will address the convention via a pre-recorded video, his spokesman told The Dallas Morning News.
Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz was listed as the speaker, and Trump said Wednesday he still intends to attend. Republican South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is also following her plans to speak at the NRA event on Friday.
Although personal firearms are allowed at the convention, the NRA said weapons would not be allowed during the session with Trump because of Secret Service security protocols.
Several groups have said they planned to hold protests outside the convention center.
“This is not the time or place to have this convention,” said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL, a Houston-based civil rights group that plans to take part in the protests. “Not only do we need to have the thoughts and prayers of legislators, but we need action to address this public health crisis that is affecting our communities.”
Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is challenging Abbott for the governorship of Texas in 2022, said he would attend a protest outside the convention on Friday.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, said the city is required to host the NRA event, which has been under contract for more than two years. But he urged politicians to skip it.
“You can’t pray and send condolences one day and then go defend weapons the next day. That’s wrong,” Turner said.
Shannon Watts, founder of the Moms Demand Action arms control group, said she was not surprised the NRA did not cancel its meeting.
“The real question now is what elected officials will choose to side with violence and go kissing the ring in Houston this weekend instead of side with communities that demand public safety,” he said. dir Watts.
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David A. Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri