Raleigh, North Carolina — North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said Friday he cried when he heard about the shooting at a Texas school this week that left 19 students dead, but decided to speak at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention, despite criticism, because he wanted to defend the Second Amendment rights of North Carolinians.
“In this nation, you’re not second responders, you’re first responders,” said Robinson, a Republican and NRA board member who received thousands of dollars in campaign donations from a fund linked to the Trump advocacy group. gun rights. “And you have the absolute duty and right to stand up and protect your home from any enemy foreign or domestic.
“I am here today, much to the chagrin of many of the leftists in my state who thought I should chicken out and stay home, and not come here and continue to defend that right for law-abiding citizens in North Carolina. and for the law-abiding citizens of this nation,” he told attendees at an NRA legislative forum.
His decision to speak at the event has drawn criticism from political opponents because of the time and place: in Houston, days after the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which is some 275 miles away. He was among a list of high-profile Republican speakers, including former President Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Top Texas state officials changed their plans to attend after the tragedy. Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a video message instead of attending in person. And Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick canceled an appearance at Friday’s breakfast, Texas media reported.
Robinson, who is serving his first term, is one of the state’s best-known gun rights advocates. The NRA’s Political Victory Fund spent more than $82,000 on mailers and other efforts to get Robinson elected in 2020, according to state campaign finance records. The group also donated $5,400 directly to Robinson’s campaign.
The lieutenant governor rose to fame due to a gun rights speech he gave to the Greensboro City Council in 2018. That speech, following a mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, came as the council considered canceling a gun show at the city’s convention center.
During his 10-minute speech on Friday, Robinson derided Democrats as communists and Marxists, accusing them of using the Texas school massacre for their own political gain.
Some Democrats have proposed tightening restrictions on assault rifles. Robinson said his ultimate goal is to remove all weapons.
“They are bound and determined to leave our children defenseless,” he said. “And now he is bound and determined to leave the patriotic, law-abiding citizens of this nation unarmed and defenseless.
“Well, I’m here to tell you right now: get out your pencils, lick them and get ready to write this – it’s not going to happen,” he said.
Robinson also blamed “leftist politicians” in Washington for not providing enough funds to secure all the schools. “He defunded the police, he taunted the police and made our schools easy targets,” he said.
“You will not tap dance on these children’s graves to disarm the people of this nation,” he said to thunderous applause.
This week, state Democrats asked Robinson to cancel his visit to the NRA convention, and on Friday the state party said 760 parents had signed a letter to that effect.
“We demand to know: How many children do you need to see shot to death, communities torn apart and lives altered, before you finally decide to put lives ahead of the gun lobby and actually do something to stop this senseless violence?” the letter said.
“Your thoughts and prayers are not enough,” he said. “Unless proven otherwise, your attendance at the NRA convention in Texas this week makes it clear: You and the North Carolina Republican Party are beholden to the NRA instead of protecting the children of North Carolina. North”.
Robinson’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this week, Robinson issued a statement condemning the school shooting, calling it “evil, pure and simple.” And on Friday, like many of the speakers, he said that he was praying for the families of the victims.
“When I found out, I shed tears. I did it,” she said. “I can’t help but think, ‘What if he was one of my people?’ How heartbroken would he be? The pain that would be in my home today. … I paused, took a breath. I said a prayer because that’s what we need right now. That is what these families need.”
He said many of the children in the shooting were about the same age as his grandchildren.
“When I look at my grandchildren, I am also reminded why I am a patriotic, armed, law-abiding American,” he told attendees. “I remember why I believe in the premise of our Second Amendment when I look at those babies.
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